Exclusive: Sarah Sanders and Cell Phone Pouches
Emails between Alexa Henning, Arkansas Department of Education, a superintendent, Yondr and media explain how pouches in schools evolved
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Headed into this school year, Gov. Sarah Sanders wanted cell phones locked up during public school hours, and many school administrators agreed.
Numerous experts say the use of phones by students in class distracts from learning, increases bullying and affects mental health.
Sanders has received accolades for her cell phone initiative.
But Sanders, her staff and the Arkansas Department of Education have also faced questions about the project especially its cost.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, South Arkansas Reckoning requested documents and correspondence from the Arkansas Department of Education about cell phones in the classroom and Yondr, the leading provider for school pouches.
Documents show communications between Alexa Henning, who was Sanders’ communications director until recently, the state's education department and the media.
The Sanders Administration is notorious for keeping their cards close to their vest. These emails offer a glimpse of the process of how an initiative rollout is birthed by controlling the message and spinning the media.
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