Board approves phone‑pouch pilot and vape detectors at three high schools using safer‑schools grant funds

The Columbus County Board of Education approved two safety‑technology purchases — Yondr phone pouches for phone‑free spaces and Triton vape detectors from BridgeTech/Lockstep — to pilot at three traditional high schools, using funds from the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools equipment grant that expire on June 30.

Superintendent Beck and members of student support services presented the initiatives and said the purchases were turnkey (installation and labor included in the quoted price) so the district can consume the grant funds before they expire. The board motion approved the signature of contracts and invoices so procurement can proceed.

Board members asked several implementation questions. Mr. Beck confirmed the initial rollout will be at East Columbus Junior‑Senior High School, West Columbus High School and South Columbus High School. Board members pressed to expand the devices to middle schools — several members said vaping is also a major issue there — and staff responded they will seek additional funding to add middle schools during the academic year if funds become available.

The district said accommodations will be made for documented medical needs (for example, students who must access phones for diabetic monitoring). Board members also asked whether the Triton detectors work and noted sheriff’s office support; staff said they had vetted the technology and included installation costs in the grant purchases.

The board approved both purchases by voice vote. Staff were directed to coordinate turnkey installation and to report pilot outcomes back to the board.

Ending: Board members emphasized urgency because the grant funds expire June 30 and asked staff to pursue additional funding to expand pilots to middle schools if needed.