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Portland students report early gains and logistical snags from districtwide cell-phone policy
Summary
Student representatives and district staff described early benefits to student engagement under the new district cell-phone policy using Yondr pouches, while reporting lunchtime crowding and communication concerns for families.
Student representatives and district leaders told the Portland Board of Public Education on Sept. 9 that the district’s new cell-phone policy, implemented with Yondr pouches, appears to be increasing student engagement but has created logistical challenges at some schools.
Student representative Lee reported on Deering High School’s experience in the second week of the school year: advisory periods will be graded for attendance, the main Stevens Avenue entrance is now the single entry point to streamline Yondr pouch checks, and lunchtime crowding occurred on the first day when students sought help unlocking pouches. Lee said the district has added more staff to help with locking and unlocking, which has improved but not fully resolved hallway crowding around lunch.
Superintendent (name not specified in the meeting) told the board the district purchased Yondr equipment for roughly $110,000 across the district — about $18,000 per site for six schools — and said that this is not an annual recurring cost, though replacement costs will occur over time. The superintendent also cautioned that the policy is not an immediate cure and that staff would continue to refine operations.
Board members asked several operational questions, including whether the policy interferes with student-family communication during the day, particularly for families that do not speak English. The superintendent and staff said schools are working through procedures to ensure families can contact schools and vice versa and that some problem-solving is still required at certain sites.
The student report also covered extracurriculars and athletics updates at Deering, including changes to advisory scheduling and the start of esports, but the board did not take formal action on the cell-phone policy at the meeting.
