Robeson County board hears vendor pitch as state bills would require phone-free schools

Members of the Public Schools of Robeson County board on Feb. 21 heard a presentation about a classroom phone-lock system after staff told the board two pieces of state legislation — House Bill 87 and Senate Bill 55 — would, if enacted, require districts to adopt phone-free policies.

The presentation by Chris Johnson, district partnership director at Yondr, and introductory comments from Bobby Locklear framed the product as an option for a district-wide program if the pending bills or local policy changes make phone bans necessary.

Bobby Locklear said the two proposed bills “would require us to create or develop a sale free, cell phone policy within the district” and reminded the board the district currently handles cell-phone incidents through its discipline matrix under policy 43‑18, “use of wireless communications.”

Yondr’s district partnership director, Chris Johnson, described the product and program: “As students enter school, they place their phone in their assigned Yondr pouch. They close and secure their pouch, keeping it with them throughout the day. When leaving school, students tap their pouch on an unlocking base to retrieve their phone.” He said the company pairs hardware (locking pouches and unlocking bases) with implementation support including sample policies, parent communications, training and quarterly follow-ups.

Johnson cited Yondr partner surveys during his presentation, saying “86% of our partners have saw a positive impact on safety and wellness” and that “68% saw an improvement in academic performance.” He also said the company offers an exemption mechanism for medical needs (a Velcro pouch that can be opened) and that districts typically build a loss/damage fee into local policy to cover lost pouches.

Dr. Williamson asked for a North Carolina reference list and told staff the board intends to resume the discussion in April as an informational item; a price list was placed at members’ seats during the meeting. Board members asked staff to gather local references (for example, districts already using Yondr) and to explore whether other vendors should be considered; staff said Chatham County and Harnett County use the product and offered to invite a school official to speak to the board in April.

No formal action was taken on the item at this meeting. The board directed staff to gather references, pricing and additional vendor comparisons and to place the topic on the April agenda for further information.

Provenance: Transcript comments introducing the topic and the Yondr presentation appear in the work session transcript beginning with Bobby Locklear’s remarks about pending legislation and Chris Johnson’s presentation; staff later recorded the request for a North Carolina reference list and April follow-up.