Frisby Middle pilot puts phones in magnetized pouches; staff report early gains in instruction and safety

Frisby Middle School administrators described a short pilot of magnet-secured phone pouches that requires students to deposit phones each morning. School leaders and district safety staff told the Rialto Unified board the weeklong trial produced early signs of improved classroom engagement, fewer interruptions and reduced tardiness.

“Los celulares son 1 de los problemas más grandes en nuestros planteles,” said Alejandro Vara, principal of Frisby, explaining the rationale for the pilot and summarizing staff observations. Vara said the school used a system of pouches that lock with an external magnet device: students place phones in a pouch each morning, and teachers or staff use a magnetic release to reopen them if needed. The school tested the pilot for seven days and distributed the approach via staff training, student assemblies and parent communications.

Key pilot details reported to trustees - Legislative context: Dr. Robert McMillen, lead of student services, reminded the board of two state bills discussed by staff: a 2019 law referenced in the presentation (“propuesta de ley 272”) that set expectations for phone use in schools and a 2024 bill the presenter identified as “3216,” which McMillen said will require broader prohibitions effective July 1, 2026. He said the district is developing an implementation timeline to comply with the 2026 deadline. - Pilot mechanics and cost: Principal Vara showed the magnet-and-pouch system; the district reported a one-time pilot cost of approximately $10,000 for pouches and magnets and said the pouches carry a lifetime warranty. Vara told the board Frisby has “más de 85 imanes en la escuela.” The exact total number of pouches purchased was not specified during remarks. - Early results: Teacher feedback after the first days reported higher student participation, fewer class interruptions, fewer tardies and reduced in-class phone use; Vara said teachers saw students interacting more during breaks instead of immediately using phones. The pilot included staff training and extra adult supervision in transition areas and restrooms. - Safety and exemptions: The presenters said pouches can be opened in emergencies and that students with documented health needs (IEP or 504 plans) or other medically necessary exceptions retain access per individualized plans. Bryan Harper, supervisor of security, described expanded patrol presence and targeted supervision for drop-off, pickup and transition times.

Questions and concerns raised - Parents and several trustees asked how emergency access would work; presenters said staff can release pouches immediately when needed and that the district will run drills to practice emergency retrieval procedures. - Trustees asked for data: Vara said the school plans to collect both qualitative and quantitative measures (tardies, attendance, discipline referrals, teacher surveys) and to report back after a longer trial period; trustees requested a 30-day status update to assess sustainment of early benefits.

Board action and next steps - There was no formal board vote to adopt districtwide policy at this meeting. Trustees asked staff to build an implementation agenda and timeline to meet the July 1, 2026 effective date of the new state restriction described by staff; staff said they will return with data and recommended policy changes.

Speakers and attributions - Dr. Robert McMillen — Lead, Student Services (presenter) - Alejandro Vara — Principal, Frisby Middle School (presenter) - Bryan Harper — Security supervisor (presenter)

Clarifying details - Pilot duration reported to the board: approximately seven days (teacher survey and observational feedback described as “7 días” in remarks). - Pilot cost: presenters reported approximately $10,000 for pouches and magnets and said items include a lifetime warranty. - Exemptions: Presenters explicitly said students with an IEP or 504 plan, or documented medical needs, may retain phone access as required by those plans.

Provenance - topicintro: {"block_id":"s=9551.865","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"Bien, Empezando la presentación política sobre teléfonos móviles y seguridad, escuela intermedia Frisby, presentación a cargo de Alejandra Vara, director, doctora Robert McMillian, agente líder de servicios estudiantiles, y Bryan Harper, supervisor de operaciones de seguridad.","reason_code":"topicintro"} - topicfinish: {"block_id":"s=12058.87","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"Bien, pues, muchas gracias. Bien, en el futuro es muy importante para nosotros saber ... Bien, entonces, ya ya se recogieron todos, ¿sí? Bueno, pues ahora damos seguimiento a los comentarios del público.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}

Ending Frisby administrators described positive early indicators from the weeklong pilot and presented an operational model the district can scale. Trustees requested additional data and a formal rollout plan to achieve compliance with the state law timeline; staff said they will return with a status report and recommended next steps.