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Taunton High School cellphone enforcement using Yondr pouches approved 6–1; purchase funded from FY25 surplus
Summary
The School Committee approved a cellphone enforcement proposal for Taunton High School that uses Yondr pouches; the initial $104,000 purchase will be paid from FY25 surplus to support FY26 implementation and the plan was referred to the Rules Subcommittee for policy alignment.
Dr. John Harrison, principal of Taunton High School, presented a cellphone enforcement proposal to the Taunton School Committee of the Whole on May 14, 2025 that recommends using Yondr pouches to lock students’ phones during the school day. The committee approved the proposal in a 6–1 roll call vote.
Harrison said the proposal is consistent with recommendations from the U.S. surgeon general and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and noted AG Andrea Campbell’s STUDY Act as supporting bell‑to‑bell restrictions. He presented survey data showing only 35% of students believed phones helped learning; 68% of staff and 67% of parents said phones are a distraction. Of 477 parent/caregiver responses, 47% supported a ban, 40% opposed and 13% were unsure. Harrison said more than 90% of staff supported the approach.
Harrison described classroom disruptions, privacy violations and safety risks from phone use and emphasized the measure alters enforcement rather than district policy: “This is not a change in policy but a change in enforcement tools,” he said. The presentation cited reported outcomes from other districts that used phone restrictions.
Mr. Cabral clarified the fiscal plan: an initial $104,000 purchase would be covered by FY25 surplus to support implementation in FY26, with estimated replacement and loss costs of roughly $30,000 annually to be included in the FY27 budget or supported by Title IV or future budgets.
Mr. Vieira moved to approve the cellphone enforcement proposal; Mr. Enos seconded. Roll call vote: Mr. Enos — yes; Mrs. Chaves — yes; Mr. Pawlowski — absent; Mrs. Fagan — yes; Ms. Santos — yes; Mr. Vieira — yes; Mr. Loura — yes; Dr. DeMelo — no. The motion passed 6–1. The committee then voted unanimously to refer the proposal to the Rules Subcommittee for review to ensure alignment with district policy and procedures.
