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Committee of the Whole backs Yondr pouch enforcement and reviews bullying-reporting data
Summary
The Committee of the Whole reported the district’s updated Bullying Prevention Plan (62 investigations this school year; 32 substantiated) and voted 6–1 to approve enforcing the existing Taunton High phone policy with Yondr pouches as a practice change, referring policy alignment to the Rule Subcommittee.
Mr. Vieira reported to the full committee the Committee of the Whole’s May 14 discussion of student-discipline items: Mrs. Hoye presented the district’s updated Bullying Prevention Plan, which she said follows DESE guidance revised January 2024. "We conducted 62 bullying investigations this school year with 32 substantiated," Hoye reported, and she said that represented less than 1% of the district’s student population. She highlighted ongoing professional development and staff training to support prevention and response.
On a separate agenda item, Principal Harrison proposed enforcing the existing Taunton High School cell-phone policy using Yondr pouches (a practice change, not a policy change). Mr. Vieira told the committee that the subcommittee cited support from DESE, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Study Act and survey data from other districts showing staff and parent support for more consistent enforcement of phone restrictions for academic and safety reasons.
The Committee of the Whole voted 6–1 to approve the proposed enforcement practice and made a second motion—approved unanimously—to refer the matter to the Rule Subcommittee to review and align district policy with the new practice. Mr. Vieira moved the subcommittee report, which the full committee accepted.
At the May 21 meeting, Mrs. Chaves asked Superintendent Cabral for a cost estimate for Yondr pouches; Cabral said the district was securing quotes from Principal Harrison and no full-committee action was required beyond receiving the subcommittee report.
