Germantown board discusses new state phone rules, eyes magnetic pouches and updated policy

The Germantown Board of Education on Tuesday discussed changes to district cell‑phone rules after a new state law restricting the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time takes effect in the 2025–26 school year.

The board heard a presentation from district staff and a product demonstration of Yondr magnetic locking pouches, a commercially available device that students keep with them and unlock at designated stations. District staff described the pouches as one option to reduce in‑class phone use and cheating, but stressed there is currently no board decision to purchase them.

District staff said the law “restricts the use of wireless communication devices during class starting with the 2526 school year” and requires districts to adopt specific policies. A promotional video shown at the meeting said, “Yondr is the established leader in creating phone free schools.” The superintendent’s office and principals asked the board for guidance so staff can draft a policy in June and begin focused outreach to students, teachers and families.

Board members and attendees emphasized enforcement, carve‑outs and emergency access as central implementation issues. Speakers noted practical concerns: students can try to circumvent any solution (for example, by carrying a second device), school staff raised the workload of collecting devices, and parents and coaches raised worries about access during an emergency. Staff said there are pouch variations (magnetic and Velcro) for students who must use a device for health needs, and that the statute allows device use for medical needs, individualized education plans and emergencies.

Financial questions also figured prominently. The district shared a vendor estimate of roughly $30 per pouch and an order‑level estimate that would put a district‑wide rollout for middle and high schools in the low six‑figures (staff estimated “about a hundred thousand dollars”), plus costs for magnetic unlocking stations (vendors recommend roughly one unlocking station per 100 students at an exit). Board members said they are mindful of the fiscal impact and want to ensure broad community buy‑in before committing funds.

No purchase motion was made. The board directed staff to draft policy language for consideration at the June meeting, to continue testing options and to conduct outreach to students, parents and teachers. Staff will also gather more precise vendor quotes, projected equipment and installation timelines, and a plan to address carve‑outs for medical devices and students with IEPs or 504 plans.

Board members said they want the policy to be “least restrictive” while meeting the statute’s requirement that students not use devices during instructional time. Several members said the district should first pursue a clear policy and improved enforcement of current rules; the pouch was described as a potential next step if voluntary compliance and stricter enforcement do not produce the expected results.

Next steps identified by staff: prepare draft policy language for the June board packet; run focus groups with students, teachers and parents; and return with firm cost estimates and an implementation timeline if the board wishes to pursue a pilot or full purchase.