Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) New York State has launched a new website to guide school districts in implementing the bell to bell cell phone ban which is going into effect at the start of the new school year in September.
"There are a few new resources on the site, including plans that other districts are using, to see how we match up," said Mark Laurrie, Superintendent of Niagara Falls City Schools.
"You want to see if you're in alignment with other places, and you want to see if you're on the right track, and I think we are in Niagara Falls."
From Laurrie's perspective, he doesn't think this is a new concept or something that people didn't see coming. He said the district is not scrambling or rushing to implement it. They're just trying to communicate it to everyone involved.
There is one concerning part for Laurrie.
"They still have not released a way for districts to access the $13.5 million dollars that has been set aside for this. I understand that guidance will be given next week on how he money will be allocated."
What exactly is the cost for districts?
"We made a decision in Niagara Falls for grades 7 through 12 to purchase Yondr pouches. This would be for about 3500 students. It's not just the cost of Yondr pouches. They also have to strategically place magnets throughout the school to unlock the devices at the end of the day. They are also purchasing handheld magnets that will allows an administrator to unlock a pouch in the middle of the day in cases of emergency."
Laurrie said the estimated cost to Niagara Falls is $85,000 for the pouches and magnets.
For students in pre-K through 6th grade, the district will insist that students keep their phones in lockers.
He added, this habit (of holding a cell phone) is hard to break by going cold turkey. The pouches are an intermediary step to help out older students
transition to the new policy.