New Hanover County School Board discusses cellphone pouch policy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The first day of school for New Hanover County students is later this month and the possibility of a new policy affecting student cellphones was discussed at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Board members heard a presentation by a spokesman for Yondr, a company that makes cell phone pouches.

Yondr pouches are magnetically sealed once the phone is placed inside, and can only be unlocked by special devices.

The board acknowledged that students being on their cell phones was affecting classes and leading to more disciplinary actions by teachers and school staff.

Board member Pat Bradford said schools do have policies in place regarding cell phones, but they aren’t all the same.

“That’s it gotta be across the district. And its gotta be uniform. All of our schools have some kind of cellphone policy, but its not consistent across the district. And Mr. McManus made a couple really good points. He said when you depend on the individual principal or assistant principal or teacher to enforce the rule, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”

The board did not vote on any policy changes regarding cellphone use or the Yondr program at the meeting.

The board plans to get more feedback about the potential program during a town hall next week.

New Hanover isn’t the only county looking at implementing Yondr pouches though.

Brunswick County Schools will be running a phone-free pilot program at two schools this upcoming school year.