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D300 to roll out Yondr pouches for grades 6–12 as part of updated electronic device procedures
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Mark Wetzell outlined a district plan to implement Yondr pouches and 'often away' rules for elementary students, with exceptions for IEP/504/medical needs, staff training, family communications starting May 15, and enforcement steps including one redirection and administrator involvement for refusals.
Deputy Superintendent Mark Wetzell told the Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education on April 7 that the district will implement Yondr pouches in grades 6–12 and maintain an “often away” expectation for elementary students as part of an updated electronic device policy.
Wetzell said the decision follows a task-force process that gathered stakeholder feedback from families, staff and a superintendent’s student advisory committee and included an external survey partner. “Students will be expected to turn off their devices and place them inside a Yondr pouch when the bell rings,” he said, adding that students will keep the same pouch and bring it home with them.
The presentation explained exceptions: students with IEPs, 504 plans, English learner needs or documented medical reasons may be exempted. For elementary schools, devices are expected to be away for the full day; at the secondary level devices will be allowed only in the cafeteria during a student’s lunch period. Wetzell described operational supports: unlocking stations mounted in cafeterias and classrooms, signage, staff professional learning in June–August, and communications to families beginning May 15.
On enforcement, administrators will direct staff to offer one redirection when a device is observed out of the pouch; repeated refusal will prompt administrator intervention, parent or guardian notification, documentation and secure storage of the device until pickup. In cases of emergency such as a lockdown, building administration may authorize students to unlock devices.
Mike Williamson, Lead 300 President, praised the collaborative work of the task force and said the partnership between district and LEAD representatives helped shape the recommendation. “We found that over time these have become greater and greater distractions,” Williamson said, describing the decision as grounded in research and stakeholder discussion.
Board members asked clarifying questions about pouch ownership, in-class independent work exceptions, and implementation logistics; a board member asked whether each secondary student would be issued and responsible for their own pouch, and Wetzell confirmed that each student will keep and be responsible for a personal pouch. Wetzell outlined a timeline that runs from April through August with staff training, website updates, signage installation and a full rollout at the start of the 2026–27 school year.
The district emphasized that communication materials, student lessons, family notifications, and training will be used to support consistent application across buildings. The update did not include a new board vote on policy language; it presented the implementation plan aligned to policy revisions the board approved in January.
