District seeks one-year extension of Yonder pouch rollout to comply with Alabama Focus Act

Dr. King presented a request to place the Yonder education program quote on the consent agenda and asked the board to approve a one-year extension of the Yonder pouch approach to support implementation of the Alabama Focus Act, the law restricting student cell phone use during instruction.

"Over a year ago'the Alabama Focus Act became law where students could not be on their cell phones at all during instruction...we are asking that this, the Yonder approach be extended for 1 year," Dr. King said. He told the board expedited shipping could allow pouches to arrive as early as August 10 if approved.

Board members asked operational questions about inventory, assignment and cleaning. Staff said the pouches are new, will be delivered to district logistics and assigned to specific schools, and that students who lose pouches would be responsible for replacement. One board member described prior contract practice of receiving new pouches annually under the contract.

Dr. King framed the request as part of a transition plan to avoid penalizing students and to allow parents time to adapt. The item was placed on the consent agenda for board approval later in the meeting and was approved with a unanimous vote.