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Culpeper school leaders outline plan to comply with Executive Order 33 and propose Yondr phone pouches
Summary
Superintendent presented Virginia’s Executive Order 33 guidance and a proposal to use Yondr magnetic phone pouches to create bell-to-bell phone-free secondary schools; board members asked about timeline, exemptions, parent communication and costs (pouches cited at about $30 each).
The Culpeper County School Board heard a detailed presentation on implementing Governor’s Executive Order 33 and a staff recommendation to pilot or adopt Yondr magnetic phone pouches to create phone-free learning days at secondary schools.
Superintendent (Speaker 8) told the board the executive order directs the Virginia Department of Education to issue model guidance and said the district must have policy changes in place by Jan. 1. “An executive order from our governor saying that we need to have cell phone free schools,” the superintendent said while outlining the guidance’s bell-to-bell approach for middle and high schools and a no-phone expectation in elementary schools.
District staff presented the Yondr system during a short video and vendor remarks. A Yondr representative (Speaker 17) described the program: “For over 10 years, our product and program has allowed students to experience the focus, creativity, and relief that comes from a phone free school day,” adding that pouches remain with students and unlocking occurs at dismissal.
Administrators stressed exemptions for students with documented medical needs, said law-enforcement partners supported the approach, and emphasized the district does not intend to seize devices. The presentation cited per-unit and kit costs and implementation components: “It’s relatively affordable, in that it’s $30 a pouch,” a staff presenter said, noting the price includes unlocking bases and related hardware for secondary schools.
Board members asked for specifics on timeline and logistics. “What would be a realistic timeline if we wanted to implement it?” asked a board member (Speaker 3). Administrators answered that implementation depends on product availability and policy work but said they felt comfortable it could be done before Jan. 1 if the board endorsed the approach and product supply allowed it.
Board members pressed about parent notification and enforcement. Staff said communications would include website updates, FAQs, social media and email blasts, and that the district would provide parent-facing materials from the vendor. Administrators also said students could still contact families via issued Chromebooks and that the division’s existing communication and camera systems support safety and crisis response.
Several board members expressed support for pursuing the policy change while emphasizing care to avoid burdening teachers. A board member thanked staff for balancing learning and safety and noted the importance of training, clear policy language, and parent education.
Next steps: staff said they would bring policy language and implementation details back to the board if the board wishes to move forward; no final action was taken during the meeting.
