Salem-Keizer implements ‘bell-to-bell’ phone-free policy; Yondr pouches adopted at secondary schools

Deputy Superintendent Niz told the Salem-Keizer SD 24J Board of Directors on Sept. 23 that the district has implemented a districtwide “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy for the 2025–26 school year and that most high schools and some middle schools are deploying Yondr pouches to support the rule.

Niz said the policy — described in district materials as “student acceptable use of electronic resources” — requires cell phones and other personal electronic devices to be “off and away from entrance to exit,” while students continue to have access to district-provided Chromebooks for instructional activities. "This means that cell phones and other electronic communication devices are off and away from the start of the school day until the end," Niz said.

Niz told the board the updated policy aligns with an executive order from Governor Kotek calling for Oregon schools to be phone free during the instructional day, and that Salem-Keizer implemented its guidance ahead of that order. The district said principals chose whether to use Yondr pouches after a 2024–25 pilot; all high schools and six middle schools have adopted the pouch program under decisions made by building principals.

Student advisors and board members raised questions about student access at lunch, enforcement, cost, equity and accommodations. Jackson, a student advisor, said many students initially disliked the change and that the biggest pushback at his high school was not having phone access at lunch. Jolie McMahon, student advisor, told the board she has “definitely seen an improvement in engagement” but noted differences in how schools manage access at lunch.

Director Harnish asked the district to survey families, students and staff on implementation and to provide regular reports to the board. Niz said the district will continue periodic surveys and will report back on implementation, especially at schools using Yondr pouches.

On cost and funding, Niz said the Yondr pouches cost approximately $30 per student as a one-time purchase, paid from the district’s student investment account to support student engagement and attendance; pouches are expected to be returned at the end of each school year and reissued. Niz said pouches are not being implemented in elementary schools and that individualized education program (IEP) teams and Section 504 teams may consider accommodations for students with documented needs.

District staff emphasized safety procedures and family notification systems. Niz said emergency communications to families will come from schools or district staff through ParentSquare and that families should keep contact information current. The district also clarified that school bus drivers are not expected to manage student phone use; bus behavior issues would be reported to school administrators for follow-up under the district code of conduct.

Board members and staff described early observations from teachers and substitutes that classrooms and common areas have been calmer and that students are more engaged in in-person interaction. Niz said research cited in the presentation links reduced in-school device interruptions to improved comprehension and lower anxiety, and the district reported teacher survey results in which more than 75% of participating teachers reported increased student engagement at pilot sites.

The district did not propose a board-level mandate forcing Yondr at every site; the presentation and subsequent answers described the approach as principals choosing to implement Yondr pouches within the framework of the district’s bell-to-bell policy. The board’s discussion focused on monitoring outcomes, addressing equity and replacement costs, and continuing communication with families and staff.