At the Ephrata School Board meeting July 29, several important decisions were made that will impact the upcoming school year according to a release. One of the highlights from 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 members. 

According to recent reports from Pew Research Center and Common Sense Media, a significant number of teens are constantly online, with many receiving numerous notifications on their phones each day. By implementing the use of secure cell phone boxes, Ephrata Schools aims to create a more conducive learning environment for students. The district has allocated approximately $5,500 to purchase these boxes for all classrooms at EHS and EMS. 

Additionally, the Ephrata School Board unanimously adopted the district's balanced budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The General Fund Operating Budget is set at $51 million, with an enrollment projection of 2,545 full-time equivalent students. The district's budget is supported by a combination of state resources, local taxes, federal funding, and non-tax revenue accounts. 

During the meeting, the school board also approved over $200,000 of contracted maintenance projects for the summer, including repairs, new asphalt, playground equipment installation and landscaping. Furthermore, the purchase of a new special education school bus equipped with a wheelchair lift and tracks for wheelchairs was approved. 

In a move to protect the Ephrata School District's branding, federal trademarks have been obtained for the district's logos, including the "Ephrata E," "Archer Tiger" and "Hewitt Paw." Vendors and community members are encouraged to seek authorization before using these logos for graphics and merchandise. District staff will be launching an educational campaign to raise awareness about the proper use of these trademarks in the upcoming school year. 

Members of the public are always welcome to attend Ephrata School Board meetings to stay informed about important decisions affecting the district. More information about meeting dates, agendas, and other updates can be found on the district's website.