Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy Devices topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent outlines new state rules, proposes Yonder phone‑management pilot
Summary
Superintendent and staff briefed the board on recent state laws (audio on buses; regalia rights) and demonstrated a Yonder phone‑management device; board members questioned costs, accessibility exemptions and whether to pilot at middle and/or high school levels.
During the superintendent’s report on April 27, Dr. Ernest walked the Jefferson School District Board through several recent state law changes and a possible classroom phone‑management pilot.
Dr. Ernest summarized two statutes: "2025 Wisconsin Act 160" now permits audio as well as video recording on school buses, and "Wisconsin Act 2222" covers pupils’ rights regarding traditional travel regalia and graduation‑related events. He said the district will update policies and vendor contracts to ensure compliance.
On classroom devices, Dr. Ernest demonstrated a sample from Yonder that locks students’ phones during instructional time. He described two deployment models — proactive (every student carries a Yonder device that blocks access during class) and reactive (staff lock an individual phone when misused) — and noted an estimated unit cost of about $25 per device, plus accessories. He also said vendors make versions that allow medical‑device or accessibility exemptions.
Board members raised concerns about cost, the middle‑school roll‑out vs. limiting to high school, enforcement challenges (students putting fake phones in devices or damaging units), and equity/accessibility for students who need phones for health reasons. Dr. Ernest and staff said they will collect more data, talk with principals and report back with cost estimates and a recommended scope for any pilot program.
The discussion framed next steps as policy review and a possible pilot rather than an immediate purchase; the board deferred any final action to a future meeting.
