[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6119563,"mediaKeyId","2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8","parentId",2711663,"title","Revere Board holds first reading of tighter student cell‑phone policy after state law deadline","audioSeconds",580,"startMs",1174000,"endMs",1754000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8&start=1174&end=1754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119563/Ohio/Revere-Board-holds-first-reading-of-tighter-student-cellphone-policy-after-state-law-deadline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119563-66bb1973e5594b4961f4f1430fe0d78f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115541&Signature=mi114Pjv41wxDwT8jXBKwZ0t-OfhN4iz9SCQ8vK0olPbrj2RlL0vTxw3Vb6Y~oqS-2GTKN2y~VQgUHbYTcTk5t2jvfl83aJznyymxA3Wa3rRBe5rd4kvNce0aDpeK1BymhWledzZmym6k8nwFRpl7j3uRKAbsfeQa3PLbPIYcwK33jZiTjJHn8q2sy5XZM6lGfSBIpLMVxqA6DykledPXlR9P5rIYE4aR1rRLm7McHCsy1fEd87l9FbWljDZ8GScZIruMhAImBTmAv50XNums81hhzfFHMspStjnTnmpb~FGLK-4Yit83GhNb14fISL47LoYORkAo1x9z-UYk2Rt3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Revere Local Schools DIstrict","date","2025-03-20T14:12:34.463Z","article","Revere Local Board of Education members heard a first reading March 18 of a revised student cell‑phone policy required under recently passed state law, with administrators urging limits on phone use during the school day while students and some parents urged more flexible options.

The proposed policy, presented by Superintendent Mr. White, responded to a state mandate that districts adopt a policy by July 1, 2025. White said the intent is to minimize in‑school phone use to reduce distractions, cyberbullying and social‑media drama and to increase engagement: \"It is because of the state law that was passed that we have to have a policy in place by 07/01/2025,\" he told the board.

Board members were presented the policy rationale, details and implementation timeline; the board will take a second reading next month and, if approved, implement the policy for the 2025–26 school year. Students from Revere High School spoke during public comment, reporting widespread opposition and proposing alternatives such as classroom phone caddies.

Details of the proposal and administration guidance

White said the draft aims to limit phone use \"as little as possible\" during instructional time and clarified how the district plans to treat related devices. On smartwatches, he said enforcement will be situational: \"If it's an issue, then we deal with it. If it's not and they're just using it like a watch, then leave it be.\" He added administrators do not plan searches or spot checks when a device is not causing a disruption.

The policy would allow students to access phones at their lockers for quick communications (for example, confirming after‑school pickup) and would permit phones on buses and during sanctioned extracurricular trips. White noted exceptions would be made for students with documented needs: \"students on 504s, IEPs, for any kind of medical reason, we would create an exemption where they could have their cell phones with them,\" and argued administrators also may grant case‑by‑case exceptions (transcript: \"Of course, we make an exception for that kind of thing\").

The administration flagged several operational questions in the draft, and offered these practical approaches discussed at the meeting:
- Smartwatches and similar wearables: staff will address only dispositive misuse during instruction rather than policing every device.
- Bus use and extracurriculars: phones may remain with students; drivers may ask students to put devices away if they become a problem.
- College Credit Plus (CCP) classes and multi‑factor authentication: White said teachers and Mr. Ferris will work on exemptions so CCP students can access required two‑factor authentication without leaving class.
- Enforcement approach: teachers were encouraged to avoid disrupting instruction for immediate discipline; instead, staff should note incidents and report them to administration for follow‑up.

Student reaction and public comment

Two student speakers, Gabby Eiler and Erica Boggs, both juniors and members of the student group Revere Student Voices, told the board the revised policy is broadly opposed by the student body. Eiler said her survey of the high school returned 330 responses — about one‑third of the student population — and that \"95% of them do not support the revised policy.\" She and other students urged the district to adopt a phone‑caddy system already used in some classrooms, which keeps devices accessible between classes while limiting in‑lesson use.

Boggs said caddies would also address safety and practical concerns. She recounted an evacuation triggered by an explosive substance in the science wing last year and said students needed to reach parents quickly; she argued that locking phones in lockers would hinder communication and could increase unauthorized leaving of class: \"If phones are locked away, students will likely sneak around to check messages during bathroom breaks, undermining the very purpose of the policy.\"

Board and staff response

Board members thanked the students for their testimony and asked clarifying questions about differences between elementary/middle and high school rules. White said principals would retain discretion to adapt some elements at building level — for example, keeping the middle‑school practice of requiring phones be placed in lockers — and that the policy will be revisited annually.

Next steps

White described the timeline: the board treated the draft as a first reading on March 18, will hold a second reading the following month and aims to begin the policy with the 2025–26 school year in August if adopted. Administrators signaled readiness to draft narrow exemptions for medical needs and for CCP students.

Ending

The board did not vote on the policy at the March 18 meeting; it scheduled the second reading for next month and indicated the administration will refine language on exemptions, smartwatch handling and building‑level implementation before that session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Revere Board of Education Meeting, March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Revere Local Board of Education members heard a first reading March 18 of a revised student cell‑phone policy required under recently passed state law, with administrators urging limits on phone use during the school day while students and some parents urged more flexible options.","taxTitle","Revere Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",56332,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119552,"Board approves routine consent items, personnel actions and financial reports; moves to executive session",516,3358000,3874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8&start=3358&end=3874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8/thumbnail_3358000.jpg","/articles/6119552/Ohio/Board-approves-routine-consent-items-personnel-actions-and-financial-reports-moves-to-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119552-1f72e72a7b8300e9c6faddafdc7597ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115541&Signature=c4kHo0VLN3ylakPfCZ67e1XwRbphFcFSTIOhssgM2JFDcu8IJY48q7E6AmfGNCiL9B3XRmOC2WmHyrn5p0TuEYmvDinRPWAnGVssVkbAQksrhyPMEIzUI5JsG1CvSFAOFIxfHWFJOOauPJTHsEe1wiOfV6vs66HCUm51efAiXxbSfH1QnRxvuZ2Fi3A6KTFI6YvExvd6zypvaVvK8Zkmrkc6sSsn0sB4wOCO1ueWGar5CenfYKeFwDLDq4558hoUeX3RT7nbJ5CFhtjJtdAe9HlTBRuHrjxXJQBp8HcuKPJK~DO0oXeWw074MuY8NH~I3NtZF~qwHkDoh~ikjZEvrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Revere Local Board of Education approved multiple consent agenda items and personnel actions March 18 and voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining preparations.

The board approved the treasurer’s agenda — Roman Numeral 8, items A through E — in a single action. Treasurer Mr. Berdine summarized the financial report: February receipts were favorable due to timing of tax distributions, several donations were reported, and purchase orders were reviewed. Reported donations included $1,500 to Revere Middle School for a Washington, D.C. trip (Bath Volunteers for Service), $1,000 for an \"active minds\" program (BBS), $200 for Girls with Grit (BBS), $2,500 for the Carson Higgins scholarship from the Carson Strong Foundation, and a $2,500 grant for Superintendent White to attend an AI conference from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

Personnel and other consent approvals

Under the superintendent’s agenda, the board approved a set of personnel actions on a consent basis, including retirements and resignations (for example, Wade Bantreast’s retirement), hiring of replacements (including Montana to replace the Revere players band director) and athletic supplemental contracts for track. The board also approved hires and resignations for custodial and transportation staff, game workers and two student‑specific contracts for students with disabilities presented under separate consent.

The board approved several curriculum and course items as second and final readings including the middle school course Introduction to Personal Finance and an honors high school music ensemble proposal; student handbooks were approved as second and final reading. The 2026–27 district calendar was presented as a first reading only.

Executive session and adjournment

At the end of the meeting the board voted to move into executive session to prepare for and conduct bargaining sessions with employees; the motion passed by roll call, and the board stated there would be no action when it reconvened. The board then adjourned and wished the community a happy spring break.

Votes at a glance

- Approve Treasurer’s Agenda (Roman Numeral 8, items A–E): motion to approve (mover: Mr. Berdine); second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes (Mr. Malik; Mrs. Stein; Mrs. Brackett; Mr. Haidu; Mrs. Rainey).
- Approve Superintendent Consent Agenda (9.1 a–c: resignations/appointments; athletic supplements): motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes (same board members).
- Approve additional Personnel Consent (9.2 a–e: hires/resignations/transportation): motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes.
- Approve student special‑education contracts (3 a & b): motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes.
- Approve student handbooks (second and final reading): motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes.
- Approve Introduction to Personal Finance (MS) and Honors High School Music Ensemble (second/final readings): motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes.
- Enter executive session for collective bargaining preparation: motion: not specified; second: not specified; vote: 5‑0 yes; outcome: approved; note: board stated there would be no action on return.

Ending

All recorded roll‑call votes reported in the transcript were unanimous in favor of the motions as presented. Several items were handled as consent agenda actions; items that were first readings (including the district calendar for 2026–27 and the cell‑phone policy) will return to the board for later consideration.","The Revere Local Board of Education on March 18 approved the treasurer's report, multiple personnel items and instructional course readings as consent agenda items, and voted to enter executive session on labor negotiations. All recorded roll‑call votes were unanimous.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119558,"Richfield teachers secure Power of Teaching grant to build elementary book room; donor offers additional funds",509,2013000,2522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8&start=2013&end=2522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2711663-80840fa080e769579e1f15c125950fa8/thumbnail_2013000.jpg","/articles/6119558/Ohio/Richfield-teachers-secure-Power-of-Teaching-grant-to-build-elementary-book-room-donor-offers-additional-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119558-efdf091b12a96e109ef843b54f0926d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115541&Signature=CqTRQeLR5rNBNBBiHuoqj~SQTV5SfnE~JDFYtp7O1p2RMFOnCvmjbwtGfKbjwJd6zCSobQCjiQ5Lwn15KNxI800h2AXAvmbvG2gzhjkH2gkmJ5PG4pQyAXZ2OAwCgL4Clo~83asaN4pm4yfiBx8Tw7cYw4wfqfW8bAXIQ~cqfAsR2W7yD1JYvluBVh04KTUb4xpOai8LxbLa054SwlH-ebftfte5Ime4dFD8-HKWfuZFkhBUbwCQBMRjAAZgmoua0Nm72JpaE60PIupC4KpH7jsuLmQc1pH2dOhbixsEJz9tEIpA~QPT5sW4sVrw2X8tQeKqfIX2ph-LSjTjJaWc~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Revere Local staff described a Power of Teaching grant proposal March 18 to create a book room at Richfield Elementary, a resource intended to provide multiple copies of popular titles for small‑group reading, author studies and cross‑grade use.

Abby Lee, who presented the Richfield plan, said the book room would begin in the district conference room and would house baskets of small‑group text sets — for example, six copies of a single title so book clubs or guided reading groups can read together. Lee said the project grew from building leadership discussions in 2021–22, teacher book clubs and classroom practice that highlighted a need for more small‑group copies.

\"This is an example of small ***** ***. This is a really neat grant because these books can all be used in a variety of ways,\" Lee said, explaining the value of title sets and cross‑grade use. She cited The Color Monster as an exemplar title and discussed using an author study of Kevin Henkes to teach themes across grades.

Donor and logistics

The presentation said an anonymous donor provided the initial Power of Teaching funds, and the donor indicated additional funding may be available based on utilization of the first round. District staff said the donor’s funds are endowed through the Akron Community Foundation and that the district has the books on display at central office for board members to review.

Curriculum and board procedures

Because the grant funds programming that becomes a curricular resource, Lee and board staff reminded members that purchases would follow the district curriculum process outlined in board policy; the board will take a related agenda item as a first read on a future docket. Lee said the book room will initially be housed in the conference room and that the plan is to expand to a larger space as the collection grows.

Teacher and student use

Lee and other presenters described multiple intended uses: small guided reading groups, student‑led book clubs and cross‑grade author studies. Staff emphasized the resource would be available to all teachers; Lee said teachers will collaborate on how to deploy baskets and text sets so kindergarten through second grade and older students can benefit.

Ending

The board received the presentation as information and the related agenda item was listed for a first read; no formal vote on the grant purchase was recorded March 18. Board members thanked the presenters and noted the donor’s offer of additional funds as the program demonstrates success.","Revere Local staff described a Power of Teaching grant to create a book room at Richfield Elementary that would provide text sets and titles for small groups, author studies and cross‑grade use. The donor who provided initial funding asked to remain anonymous and indicated more funds may be available via the Akron Community Foundation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Revere Board holds first reading of tighter student cell‑phone policy after state law deadline

Board approves routine consent items, personnel actions and financial reports; moves to executive session

Richfield teachers secure Power of Teaching grant to build elementary book room; donor offers additional funds