[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6550987,"mediaKeyId","5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9","parentId",5361831,"title","LRSD outlines new electronic-device policy; students to use school-held 'Yonder' pouches during the day","audioSeconds",1429,"startMs",8321000,"endMs",9750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9&start=8321&end=9750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9/thumbnail_8321000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550987/Arkansas/LRSD-outlines-new-electronic-device-policy-students-to-use-school-held-Yonder-pouches-during-the-day","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550987-ca1ce6774473835ec8fb11197db704bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136437&Signature=B-9aBzniHbwy8Wt3BRCdoSZG~z20oTN0xxI-~LltR7OQZ4QheFplJQfaYSOqekgVuxYF~oIFsSNi3UDvS2U6xUvV9RJB1P5F4h2KTIpmkd5UY-c2H-q8ONTdXTIk2l1MAvhg3L~4H-piGK-7mBqz2zs3dD8MIRSKa65r6jCrocJCjrTVJx6vhkaLFkJNYF8vlqjtqVVSlC5c8X4UMGlliFSYZNFtjpQa0u3QZeP7BX-U8D80LQ16iEPAU06Uzk~icd~TsA2uAeaNOaowaIspUFL~F3ty08SnmKd6wZE1NQR6~cXnejRcQ3e98uLRjBpLqXu-4lMUZ3PeiNB5CrFr3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT","date","2025-07-10T21:58:16Z","article","The Little Rock School District on July 10 introduced an updated electronic-device policy that would require students to place phones and other Bluetooth-capable devices in a school-supplied pouch (branded in presentation as a \"Yonder\" pouch) during the school day.

Superintendent Jamal D. Wright said the policy aims to reduce classroom distraction and increase attention and student engagement. Under the plan described to the board, pouches would be stored at school (students would not take pouches home), schools would receive enough pouches for current enrollment plus a small buffer, and families would be notified through the student code of conduct and supplemental materials. Wright said pouches cost $30 each; the district provided an initial buffer supply to schools and the policy includes a provision that students who lose or damage pouches may be responsible for replacement costs.

On enforcement and discipline, staff said the district is not planning routine confiscation of personal devices and avoided that slippery slope because confiscation raises liability and chain-of-custody issues. The draft policy describes a progression of consequences (warning, detention, then — at repeated violations — in-school suspension) but does not specify out-of-school suspension for ordinary device rule violations. Wright and staff said the district prefers education and communication to reach compliance and that principals will lead school-level implementation and parent outreach.

Board members asked for clarifications. Director Strong and others asked whether smartwatches or Bluetooth earbuds would be treated the same; staff said pouches can hold a phone and a watch in many cases but that multiple-device capacity is limited and that principals will handle edge cases. Directors asked about medical or IEP exceptions (for example, devices needed for diabetes monitoring); staff said exemptions would be handled at the school level when medically necessary. Several directors emphasized the need for training and a public-information campaign so families and staff understand how the policy will be applied.

Wright said the policy will be placed in the student code of conduct and that staff would return with final wording; board members asked staff to confirm whether state guidance requires a “big-P” board policy or whether handbook/code inclusion satisfies the statutory requirement. Several directors asked that the district track discipline data by school and demographic subgroup to monitor disparate impacts and to report results to the board.

What happens next: district staff said they will finalize handbook language and return with implementation details, a FAQ and training materials for principals, and will coordinate a parent/community communications push. The board asked staff to confirm legal requirements and produce monthly reports on discipline impacts during the policy's first term of enforcement.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agenda Meeting/Board Work Session - Jul 10 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Jamal D. Wright presented a new district policy on July 10 requiring students to place phones and Bluetooth-capable devices in school-held \"Yonder\" pouches during the school day; the policy will be incorporated into the student code of conduct and school principals will manage implementation and exemptions.","taxTitle","LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, Arkansas","taxId",13594,"location","Arkansas","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},6550991,"Board hears marketing pitch from MHPSI; district to set aside funds and begin research in August",2493,5725000,8218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9&start=5725&end=8218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9/thumbnail_5725000.jpg","/articles/6550991/Arkansas/Board-hears-marketing-pitch-from-MHPSI-district-to-set-aside-funds-and-begin-research-in-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550991-227c27ae4c74782424da410ed42057a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136437&Signature=g3VUcBGzdoHLWMqaFXsk5JLnQSryVlvsP1g6QQFD93oxW4f0hUEIISvDJmUn1IIywIKzvue-6kv3LF2uXQvTb86bfEW6Ffr7Tf1mxWXYAp4mYq5C8JsDrvMQu9nFMrV1XzSWK4Ac-7YHfzHvvcpaZxTIOodkJCSGSWy0v-sQQbDmFHOQI~YFBJ~Sh37VFv5HUjl-Qeuc1u2Ln3FxxzjHXEqeVlS1w2rW4niI2FmyqDlUOl81oW9vxVyMZnSrU5D35Ctq6~iNg1CBnH6zQlkYolUXQOMQ3W4Imqki9ndUobNFp1nLsfK61pf6rDHH9~7LPicnFECiaKuJGtt9KHofUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District board heard a presentation on July 10 from local agency MHPSI, which the district identified as the recommended vendor in a recent RFP process. The firm briefed board members on a four-part approach — research and discovery, message development, creative execution and enhanced community relations — and described capabilities in web and video production, digital media, public relations and community-targeted outreach.

MHPSI said its planning phase would begin in August with four to six weeks of research and stakeholder interviews, followed by four to six weeks of creative development; the firm proposed a November launch. MHPSI representatives cited prior education work with UA Little Rock, Harding University and high schools in the region and emphasized a “traditional + digital” strategy that blends broadcast, digital and grassroots outreach. The team demonstrated approaches to precision targeting (geo-fencing, list-matching and retention messaging) and discussed ambassador toolkits, earned-media calendars and measurement approaches such as media monitoring and KPI dashboards.

Superintendent Jamal D. Wright told the board staff had identified funds in the upcoming fiscal year and said staff had set aside a specific, not-to-exceed amount to support implementation after the research phase. During the meeting board members asked about conflict-of-interest protections (MHPSI said client teams are walled off), how the work would reach people who are not online (billboards, murals, partner organizations and in-person outreach) and using ambassadors across neighborhoods, nonprofits and schools.

No formal procurement vote appeared on the record during the July 10 discussion; board members and staff discussed next steps, including completing the research phase, approving specific campaign scope and returning to the board for any additional funding approvals.

","The board heard a presentation from MHPSI (a local marketing firm) about a proposed comprehensive marketing and recruitment campaign for the district, discussed timeline and measurement, and the superintendent said funds have been identified to begin research and planning this fiscal year.",{"_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},6550996,"Little Rock board reviews CityGate draft to redraw school board zones, asks for more neighborhood-focused maps",5434,280000,5714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9&start=280&end=5714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9/thumbnail_280000.jpg","/articles/6550996/Arkansas/Little-Rock-board-reviews-CityGate-draft-to-redraw-school-board-zones-asks-for-more-neighborhood-focused-maps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550996-1aa0089f761238f823d4b8cd3c4dcdb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136437&Signature=Cxq7BehZLO0n1awBNKWRbH2oM9FFykAr~CsATHj7VC80D94Rz2BeKF3-yd2ty4N~9TMH~57bju2Yiiq1Jjwv-nyN~LdmqbWbq0SoVxyLDpfREOBr9R3eW~EBqLfcsQ3eZkoh8kBnd4acww21hZjR8Itc8N9gJRUh7k3zFsVT8dBYJ9-JHZYXTVzKvYZo1ZRm0cu23pjTYOcHi7iBvQVYM77OnuXHLMd88wfz3VA1yPgIqT5Qit5dBJArj7m9gr-VyCQN0lYRXn7ehYogWzdZs49Zf7lEx~IG4KpZL15VyXnBc-dItHvoKe1sTCZVL-CeCf~i-VaVWxVdFMtpW4of6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Little Rock School District Board of Education on July 10 held a planning and review session with consultant Fred Hejazi of CityGate GIS to discuss draft \"Draft 2\" maps that would reduce the district's nine board zones to seven and bring populations closer to equal ahead of upcoming filing deadlines.

CityGate's presentation explained that the maps are built from U.S. Census geography (TIGER) and the decennial census tabulations provided under Public Law 94-171. Hejazi said the firm balanced districts to keep population deviations small (targeting under about 5% between highest and lowest districts where practical), used major roads to reduce neighborhood splits where possible, and showed on-screen population block totals while noting the current work used 2020 census blocks and voting-age population columns.

Board members focused discussion on neighborhood continuity and school assignment balance rather than the underlying census mechanics. Director Anna Strong suggested using Mississippi Avenue and I-430 as clearer dividing lines in a northwest sector rather than the narrow, puzzle-piece border on the current draft. Director Adams said he favored major roads as boundaries but raised a governance point: McDermott Elementary sits near a border and Zone 4 currently would have fewer schools than other zones; he asked whether adjustments could place an additional school in Zone 4. Hejazi said he could try those edits but warned moving a line in one place forces population changes elsewhere because some census blocks contain large numbers of residents.

Director Volley asked whether an equity impact or racial equity assessment had been performed. Hejazi said elected maps are drawn primarily on population and contiguity but that the mapping tool keeps race and voting-age population visible so the consultant can avoid unintentionally diluting a group's voting strength; he also said the online public-commenting tool supports Spanish, Chinese and Korean and works on mobile phones. Multiple board members urged translation and plain-language materials and asked CityGate to host or help host community listening sessions in Little Rock. Hejazi agreed to provide printable large-format maps and to run alternate draws reflecting the board members' neighborhood suggestions.

Several board members asked legal questions about timing. Board discussion noted the filing period for candidates opens in November and that signatures collection can begin in August; multiple directors asked the superintendent and district counsel to confirm whether the board could push its final vote into August to allow more public meetings without missing any legal deadlines. Board members said they want to consult attorney Chris Heller about statutory deadlines and the district's options. No formal vote on a final map was taken at the July 10 session.

What happens next: CityGate will prepare alternate map versions requested by board members and provide large-format prints for board-hosted community meetings; the district will circulate plain-language materials and language translations; and the board expects to discuss legal timing with counsel before selecting a final map for certification.

","The Little Rock School District board on July 10 reviewed draft maps from CityGate/CityGate GIS to redraw nine existing school board zones to seven, discussed neighborhood continuity, translation and outreach, and asked the vendor to produce alternate drawings and printable maps while the board seeks legal guidance on filing deadlines.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550982,"At a glance: July 10 LRSD board votes — consent agenda and contract renewals approved",207,10431000,10638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9&start=10431&end=10638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5361831-9fbf5fd602e15d28cc563b4673bd11f9/thumbnail_10431000.jpg","/articles/6550982/Arkansas/At-a-glance-July-10-LRSD-board-votes-consent-agenda-and-contract-renewals-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550982-967cbf237fd0ebab02a68b4823b4ef9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136437&Signature=OOjrnJ5uECA-jQgD-55iMQ3JtTYNBkbK9NjKCOXj-os0HlMupqSkLFwifoff4REfWmIfcisJJrE9zpfZGEKwgUzsOukhDPPgzoqgk4SsnrUZyVrz0CHUWAmXMgspccG5H909wjt~y8XEKfBminA3Bw96oFa37kyAg-Rlky2gzikJbeHe6Ew~xoTwcn0umQ~6TkZKjvjexmfB8uwIsZ3kK6Y7mUd4OW7wucM92ptwXdpJLPg8tog9GtstUhKaaa2AW8m06tvtSR-nkvteKYs-Y1RMRYGGc3BXoq6EwY1ztcSTMOJ3109De~lYicLtHC1uhMEb4RETiR5RxyPCUa5EKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several routine items were approved during the July 10 board meeting.

- Consent agenda (agenda item 3.1 and related items): The board approved personnel changes and employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year by voice vote. The motion as read on the record was \"that the LRSD Board of Education approve the consent agenda items as follows: 3.1 personnel changes, and 3.2, round 5a, employment consent recommendation contracts for the 25-26 school year.\" The chair called for the vote and the motion carried by voice vote (\"all in favor say aye; any opposed? The motion carries.\"). The transcript does not record mover/second names or a roll-call tally.

- Contract renewal: Imagine Learning (agenda item 4.1). The board approved contracts with Imagine Learning \"to avoid service interruption as recommended.\" The motion passed by voice vote. The transcript includes repeated procedural motions to approve the contract; no roll-call vote or vote tally names appear in the record.

The transcript shows motions and seconds were made, and chair called the voice votes; no detailed vote roll or member-by-member record was included in the meeting transcript provided.

","During the July 10 meeting the Little Rock School District board approved the consent agenda (personnel changes and employment recommendations) and moved to approve at least one contract renewal to avoid interruption of services (Imagine Learning). The motions carried by voice vote; roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

LRSD outlines new electronic-device policy; students to use school-held 'Yonder' pouches during the day

Board hears marketing pitch from MHPSI; district to set aside funds and begin research in August

Little Rock board reviews CityGate draft to redraw school board zones, asks for more neighborhood-focused maps

At a glance: July 10 LRSD board votes — consent agenda and contract renewals approved