Medford board updates cell-phone policy to include Yonder pouches at middle and high schools

The Medford Area Public School District Board of Education adopted revisions to its district-owned cell-phone use guidelines June 24, approving a change that the meeting record describes as including the use of “Yonder pouches” at Medford Area Senior High (MASH) and Medford Area Middle School (MAMS) beginning with the 2024–25 school year.

The motion, made by Brian Hallgren and seconded by Corey Dassow, passed on a roll-call vote with all listed board members voting yes. The meeting transcript records the yes votes as Hallgren, Deml, Nuernberger, Balsis, Zuleger, Fleegel, Dassow, Werner and Everhard; no negative votes were recorded.

The board approved the change as part of a packet of policy second readings and considerations; the meeting record does not specify implementation logistics (procurement, distribution or monitoring procedures) or a funding source for any pouches.

The policy revision was listed under items for second reading and then a motion was made from the policy committee to approve the second reading as presented, followed by the specific motion to revise cell-phone policy to include pouches. The transcript uses the phrase “Yonder pouches” when describing the item.