The Richardson ISD Board of Trustees will vote this week on a plan designed to prevent students from using their cell phones during the school day. Administrators have proposed buying thousands of Yondr pouches to be issued to students in grades 7 through 12.
Those security pouches have been used at some concert venues in the past few years at the request of musicians or comedians who don't want audience members recording portions of the performance. They have also been adopted by some school districts, including school systems in New York and San Francisco.
"If a student has a cell phone, every day when entering school, students turn it off and place it in the Yondr pouch, which prevents it from being used," said Interim Superintendent Tabitha Branum. "At dismissal each day, students can unlock the Yondr pouch at numerous unlocking stations throughout the school and begin using the cell phone. Students will carry their own Yondr pouch with their cell phone throughout the day."
Branum cited several reasons for banning cell phone use during the school day.
"Our teachers, principals, and other employees who work directly with students have seen ongoing distractions and a lack of engagement during instructional time due to smartphone use in class," Branum said. "We've also seen a wide variety of disciplinary issues that are the product of student cell phone use during the school day - including student altercations, cyber-bullying, prohibited activity, photos and videos in violation of other students’ privacy rights."
Staffers would be able to unlock the pouches during an emergency or school lock-down as soon as it is safe.
Parents can submit feedback on the proposal through the district's website. The proposal is on the RISD school board agenda for Thursday, August 11th. Yondr was the only company that responded to the district's request for proposals. The total contract amount is $401,000.
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