Parents and students praise Haven Ultimate, urge auditorium fixes and clearer cellphone policy; lawyer raises safety and guidance-staff complaints

Speakers during the audience-recognition portion of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District meeting praised the district’s Haven Ultimate program, asked the board to address auditorium maintenance ahead of a February PMEA district band festival, raised questions about how the district will measure the new cellphone policy’s effectiveness, and reported serious allegations about guidance-department handling of student incidents.

Billy Hodges, of Princeton Avenue (identified as a resident at the meeting), told the board that Haven Ultimate brings “respect communication and conflict resolution,” and described the program’s longevity and participation. “Our peak years have had close to 100 students playing, in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth grades,” Hodges said, and urged the district to clarify whether Ultimate is a club or sport under district policy. Mary Lynch of Bryn Mawr Avenue added that the program has existed for 12 years and thanked administrators and athletic directors for providing field and gym space when needed.

Students and parents also praised the district’s decision to recognize Haven Ultimate. “I just really appreciate everyone, like, recognizing Ultimate today,” said Juliet Lloyd, who identified herself as a junior from Cooper Drive. Grace Lloyd, a parent, thanked the board for a prompt response to…