Athol‑Royalston committee adopts draft 'Vision of a Graduate,' advances cell‑phone policy and authorizes pouch purchase

The Athol‑Royalston Regional School Committee on June 18 accepted a draft “Vision of a Graduate” as the district’s working framework and advanced a proposal to create a bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone‑free culture in secondary schools, including authorization to buy locked device pouches.

The committee heard a monthslong, community‑driven process led by a steering committee and consultant Ashley Santiago of Focus Schools. The draft sets four broad outcomes — critical thinkers, active citizens, skilled communicators and empowered individuals — and outlines next steps to align curriculum, strategic planning and grade‑level expectations.

"This is the way we want them to be able to go out into the world," the presenter said while summarizing the draft's goal to create a districtwide "north star" that will guide curriculum and lesson planning. Committee members voted by voice vote to accept the draft so staff can continue detailed development and classroom rollout.

School leaders also presented a proposed cell‑phone policy designed to reduce in‑class distractions and improve student well‑being. Administration described a three‑tiered implementation that begins with a Yonder pouch system: students place personal devices in magnetically locked pouches at building entry, retain their pouches while in school, and retrieve devices at dismissal. The presentation emphasized medical and special‑needs exceptions and a progressive discipline ladder for violations.

"We are looking to create a cell phone free school culture as we're working in general to minimize learning distractions," Mr. King said during the presentation. Administrators proposed community outreach and two informational events (a July 23 session and a second session proposed for Aug. 13), a second reading of the policy at the Aug. 20 meeting, and implementation at the start of school (administration cited Sept. 2 as the first day).

Public‑safety officials from Athol and Royalston, the administration said, told staff they support limiting phone use during the school day. Presenters told the committee that interior phones provide faster, location‑specific 911 calls and that widespread cellphone activity during a lockdown can create noise, confuse parents and overload dispatch lines.

On procurement, the committee reviewed an invoice for Yonder pouches totaling $29,548.50 and was asked to authorize purchase using school‑choice funds to supply the middle and high schools with units plus roughly 15% spare. Staff said they had looked for alternatives but found no widely used domestic substitute; they recommended authorizing purchase up to the Yonder cost while continuing to evaluate other options.

In other business the committee accepted a donation from the Athletic Association for a new concession stand (proposed location between the pavilion and bleachers) and approved a cafeteria workers contract that district staff said will be absorbed in the separate cafeteria fund. A request to allow electronic signatures for warrants was also raised for committee consideration.

Mr. Webster delivered a staff tribute recognizing retiree Sally Quinton’s 28 years as a school nurse. "Sally was a rock for the school," he said, praising her steady presence and care for students and staff.

The committee received an MSBA update and other routine reports, adjusted the meeting calendar (a July meeting was removed), and adjourned after routine motions.

Votes at a glance - Accept draft "Vision of a Graduate" to proceed with development: approved by voice vote (motion made; committee recorded no opposing votes in the minutes). (topic provenance: SEG 354–SEG 918) - Accept Athletic Association donation of a concession stand: approved by voice vote (motion made; no opposing votes recorded). (topic provenance: SEG 281–SEG 352) - Approve cafeteria workers contract / related financial items: approved by voice vote. (topic provenance: SEG 1390–SEG 1452) - Authorize purchase of Yonder pouches (invoice presented at $29,548.50) and permit staff to purchase device‑storage units up to the Yonder cost while evaluating alternatives: committee discussed and signaled support (authorization language recorded in packet). (topic provenance: SEG 1456–SEG 1530)

What happens next Staff will hold community information sessions in July and August, return the cell‑phone policy for a second reading (Aug. 20) and continue work to translate the vision document into grade‑level "I can" statements and curriculum alignment for the 2025‑26 school year. The committee did not record any final procedural votes to adopt the cell‑phone policy at this meeting.