At the Ephrata School Board meeting on July 29, several important decisions were made that will impact the upcoming school year, according to a press release. One of the highlights of the meeting was the purchase of secure cell phone boxes for Ephrata High School and Ephrata Middle School. These boxes will be used to store students’ cell phones during class to minimize distractions and improve focus on learning. The district is committed to studying the impact of this new policy in collaboration with students, families and staff.
According to recent reports from the Pew Research Center and Common Sense Media, many teenagers are constantly online and many receive numerous notifications on their phones every day. By implementing secure cell phone boxes, Ephrata Schools hopes to create a more conducive learning environment for students. The district has allocated approximately $5,500 to purchase these boxes for all EHS and EMS classrooms.
In addition, the Ephrata School Board unanimously approved the district’s balanced budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The general fund operating budget is $51 million, with an expected enrollment of 2,545 full-time students. The district’s budget is funded by a combination of state funds, local taxes, federal funds, and nontax revenues.
During the meeting, the school board also approved over $200,000 worth of contracted maintenance projects for the summer, including repairs, new asphalt, installation of playground equipment and landscaping. Additionally, the purchase of a new special education bus equipped with a wheelchair lift and rails for wheelchairs was approved.
To protect the Ephrata School District brand, federal trademarks have been obtained for the district’s logos, including “Ephrata E,” “Archer Tiger,” and “Hewitt Paw.” Vendors and community members are encouraged to obtain permission before using these logos on graphics and merchandise. District staff will launch an educational campaign during the upcoming school year to raise awareness of the proper use of these trademarks.
Members of the public are always welcome to attend Ephrata School Board meetings to stay informed about important decisions affecting the district. For more information on meeting schedules, agendas and other news, visit the district’s website.
