Ways & Means reviews Yonder pouches and classroom lockboxes; assistant principal to report costs and recommendations in May

Summary

At a Ways & Means subcommittee update shared with the full Committee, members reviewed options for managing student cell phones at the high school, including Yonder pouches, classroom lockboxes and larger office devices. Assistant Principal Afton Dean will report back in May with cost estimates and recommendations.

The Committee of the Whole heard an update from the Ways & Means subcommittee about cell‑phone management at Revere High School and related budget discussions.

Members heard from Assistant Principal Afton Dean about two existing classroom lockboxes (hold ~15 phones) and larger office devices that can hold about 35 phones for students with repeat offenses. The subcommittee also reviewed a proposal to use Yonder pouches — individual pouches that secure phones during the school day — and tasked staff to collect cost information.

John Kingston, chair of Ways & Means, said the subcommittee took up the cell‑phone item to allow Dean to return to school duties; Dean will present a fuller report in May with costs and recommendations. Business Administrator Matt Cruz presented a budget overview to the subcommittee and said federal and state funding items were discussed.

Ending: The subcommittee will return recommendations and cost estimates in May; the district continues to collect usage and implementation data from classrooms using existing lockboxes.