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Franklin board adopts no-cell-phone policies, extends Yondr-style system to high school
Summary
The Franklin Public School District board voted June 17 to adopt policy updates (5136 and 5136.01) that formalize no-cell-phone rules during instructional time and restrict some personal devices at the high school; administrators cited middle-school data showing a steep drop in phone-related incidents and outlined logistics and family communications for rollout in August.
The Franklin Public School District board voted June 17 to adopt two policy updates—5136 and 5136.01—that expand the district’s no-cell-phone practices and limit personal devices at the high school beginning July 1.
Dr. Moe and Dr. Bannon summarized the administrative recommendation and supporting data during the meeting, saying the district would replicate the middle-school approach at the secondary level and add a policy clause addressing personal devices and cybersecurity. District Administrator Dr. Vroman said the middle-school shift reduced technology-related behavior incidents and improved student engagement, reporting a district presentation that showed middle-school technology violations fell from 237 to 72 and a cited reduction in cell-phone-related incidents “from 95% to 2%.”
Board members pressed staff about high-school logistics and classroom impacts. Aaron Rogers, representing the high school, said student surveys indicate roughly 100 students regularly use lockers and that many students simply do not request lockers; the district plans to move to a requested-locker system and reassign underused lockers. Administrators described a Yondr-style approach with locked pouches and multiple unlocking stations placed near exits and office points; staff and some community partners (including the police department) will have magnetic unlock devices to facilitate access.
Board members also asked whether classroom activities that previously used phones—QR-code check-ins, tuners for music classes, or photo projects—would be affected. Dr. Moe and other administrators said teachers have identified alternatives and the district will budget for a limited number of replacement devices where necessary, noting that many classroom functions were already covered by district-owned Chromebooks or other resources. They emphasized that students with documented health needs (for example, diabetes management tied to a phone) will continue to have accommodations through health plans.
Administrators outlined the communications and implementation plan: staff will receive an update first, families and students will be notified shortly afterward, and a public FAQ will be published and linked in the district’s back-to-school online check-in process. Erin (district communications) said the district will post a finite sign-off window for online check-in and include an FAQ addressing common parent concerns, including that location services continue to work and parents can contact the office if they need to reach a student during the day.
Mrs. Larson moved and Dr. Kahn seconded the motion to approve both policies; the board voted unanimously in attendance and the motion passed. Dr. Beer was excused. The board directed administrators to proceed with the described rollout and family communications ahead of the school year.
The board’s formal action completes policy adoption; staff will return with continued data and implementation updates as the district monitors outcomes at the high-school level.
