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Principals say new phone‑ban rollout has been a "game changer"; teacher praises committee decision
Summary
Athol‑Royalston principals told the school committee the district’s personal electronic device policy—using Yonder pouches and daily fidelity checks—has achieved strong compliance (90–95%) and improved classroom focus; a high‑school science teacher who testified called the policy “the most transformative decision any school committee has ever made.”
Principals reported to the Athol‑Royalston Regional School Committee on Wednesday that the district’s new personal electronic device policy has been widely adopted and is improving classroom learning.
Principal King told the committee the district assigned a Yonder pouch to every student on day one, explained classroom procedures and assemblies, and conducts daily fidelity checks at the school entrance. He said the district has seen “90–95%” student compliance, and that most violations result in temporary administrative measures: students who are seen with a phone after entry lose pouch privileges for 10 days and must leave phones in a locked office box and collect them at the end of the day.
“In my years, it’s been a game changer for us at Athol High School,” Principal King said, summarizing what administrators described as a major reduction in classroom disruption.
The committee also heard public comment from Anthony Fishell, a high‑school science teacher, who told the committee he had not had to ask a student to put a phone away in the opening weeks after the policy and praised the committee’s decision: “It has been the most transformative decision any school committee has ever made,” he said.
Principal Webster presented student feedback collected at both the high school and middle school. He reported about 40 student responses at the high school with positive comments that cited improved focus and less screen time; the principals said families have largely supported the rollout. Administrators noted landlines remain available in classrooms and the front office for students who need to make calls during the day.
Administrators said fidelity checks will include daily and random checks going forward to ensure continued compliance; they asked the committee for feedback and said they plan a district‑level fidelity check the week of Sept. 20.
Provenance: the update and discussion began when the chair invited principals to report on the policy and continued through the principals’ descriptions of Yonder pouch distribution, fidelity procedures, student feedback, and enforcement.
