Southern Kern Unified trustees adopt strict personal‑device rule, approve five‑year safety platform after debate

Southern Kern Unified School District trustees voted to adopt Option 1 of a proposed student personal‑device policy — requiring personal devices to be turned off and kept in student backpacks throughout the school day — and approved a five‑year contract for a staff safety platform (Strategix) after extended discussion and public comment.

The device policy decision came after public comment and a written submission from Rare Earth High School teacher April Coy urging the board to gather broader teacher and parent input and to consider a Yondr pouch pilot districtwide. Coy wrote that after Yondr pouches were implemented at her school — with an implementation date of 10/07/2024 — “referrals for cell phone violations declined drastically, and I no longer had to spend my planning period managing these issues.” She urged the board to consult other districts with Yondr experience before finalizing the policy.

The board heard competing rationales. District staff summarized two options: Option 1 (devices off/in backpacks all day) and Option 2 (devices off/in backpacks in class but allowed outside of class). Advocates for Option 1, including multiple trustees and site administrators, said devices cause classroom disruptions, recording and coordination of fights, and persistent discipline referrals; one…