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Board hears presentation on phone-free school model, yonder pouches and e-hall-pass trials
Summary
District staff reported on a visit to Troy High School and outlined phone-free options including yonder pouches, Securly e-hall-pass software, and related costs and rollout considerations.
District staff presented findings from a visit to Troy High School and recommended exploring a phone-free model for secondary schools, including equipment, software and a phased rollout.
Laura described how Troy uses a'yonder pouch system and Securly e-hall-pass software to create a clear 'phone-free' expectation: students place devices in sealed pouches on arrival, staff manage short-term replacements and the system creates records showing how long a student is out of class. Staff said Troy reported increased student engagement, louder, more social hallways and fewer disruptions.
Securly's electronic hall-pass software was presented as a data-driven tool that timestamps hall use, flags students who are out of class too long and reduces paper passes. The district estimated an initial high-school pilot including pouches, replacements and on-site support at roughly $25,000; smaller recurring costs for software licenses and replacement pouches were discussed.
Board members and staff discussed rollout logistics and equity: training for staff, community outreach, police and superintendent involvement in public messaging, expectations for adults to model device behavior, and how to handle replacements and lost pouches. Staff recommended assemblies, a two-day rollout and close communication with families and the police department to address parent concerns about emergency contact.
Questions from board members covered middle-school timing, sustainability (annual replacement costs), how to handle smartwatches and other paired devices, and whether the program should be phased (for example grades 6'12). Staff said the middle school already has a strong 'phone away' practice and suggested starting with secondary grades so expectations are consistent as students advance.
Staff also noted secondary benefits reported at Troy: some students brought Chromebooks more reliably after phones were secured, which improved access to in-class digital work. The district will continue budget committee review and present more detailed cost and rollout plans if the board wants to proceed.
