Cell phone lockdown: BCS unveils bag rules, suggests policy changes

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, the Brunswick County Board of Education is preparing to implement phone-free schools initiatives by launching two Yondr bag pilot programs and considering more stringent changes to its cellphone policy.

READ MORE: Parents raise safety concerns over Brunswick schools cell phone pilot

At its August 13 meeting, the board received a briefing from District Manager Dale Cole on how the Yondr pilot will be implemented, including day-to-day procedures and how to handle insubordination.

In June, two high schools were selected, Town Creek and Cedar Grove. Cole described the pilot implementation as follows:

This week, parents at both high schools will be sent informational letters explaining how the bags work, along with an opt-out form. Students who opt out will not be allowed to bring any devices into school — including cell phones and smart watches.

Waiver forms must be returned to Town Creek Middle School by Aug. 30 and to Cedar Grove Middle School by Aug. 23, 10 days after the first day of school. On Aug. 21, parents will have the opportunity to see the bags and ask questions at open houses at both schools.

Cole explained that when students enter the school through one of two designated areas — bus passengers at one door and car passengers at another — they place their phones in a Yondr pouch. Teachers will be on duty at each door to make sure students lock their phones in the pouch, which stays with them throughout the day.

“They will have to… lock it in the presence of staff,” he said, adding that the device will also have to be turned off.

Students are not allowed to unlock their phones or smartwatches from the ships until the end of the day, with magnetic posts placed at the exit doors. Students will then be responsible for keeping the bag safely at home overnight and bringing it to school each day.

Yondr recommends one magnet base for every 60 students. With 500 students, Town Creek would need about eight bases, while Cedar Grove, with 1,055 students, would need about 17 bases.

Cole mentioned that students leaving early will have their phones magnetically unlocked in the office. He also noted that students with health conditions will be provided with a Velcro lock for easier access.

Students who ignore this policy will be penalized. On the first offense of a student caught with a phone or smartwatch, the device will be confiscated and kept in the main office with the administration until the end of the day.

“It’s basically a warning,” Cole said.

For a second offense, the parent or guardian will be notified to collect the device by the end of the day. The student will also receive a one-day suspension.

“Or if a parent decides to leave him with us, I think for a few days, we’ll just deal with that until they’re ready to pick him up,” he said. “I know in that situation my mom would probably come pick him up a month later, but everyone deals with it differently.”

A third offense will be considered “insubordination” under the policy. A parent or guardian will be required to confiscate the student’s phone, and the student will face a three-day suspension from school.

A fourth offense will result in the student being prohibited from bringing any devices to school. The student will also serve a one-day out-of-school suspension. As the number of offenses increases, the out-of-school suspension may increase to 10 days.

The pilot programs are costing the district about $30,000, according to spokesman Gordon Burnette. The board voted at its June 4 meeting to implement the pilot programs.

Cole said if a purse is lost or damaged, the student’s parents or guardians will be charged a $30 replacement fee. If a student repeatedly forgets to bring the purse, it will be considered lost.

“As with any change, I would expect 80 to 90 percent of our students to do exactly what we ask them to do and have no problem with it, and five to 10 percent to push the boundaries,” he said.

Cole also discussed changes to the districtwide cell phone policy. Policy 4311 covers the use of wireless communication devices, including personal phones, internet-enabled electronic devices, pagers and two-way radios. Cole proposed several amendments that would prohibit cell phone use in all elementary and secondary schools throughout the school day unless approved by an administrator.

At the high school level, students are also prohibited from using devices during the day. The only exception is if school principals allow students to use wireless communication devices during transitions or lunch breaks. The policy allows the highest-level administrator to decide how to handle such situations.

Cole also advised the board to remove a provision that allowed teachers to use phones for educational purposes. Since the district has implemented the use of Chromebooks, Cole said the phones are no longer needed.

“We can monitor them remotely and see if they’re using anything inappropriately,” he said of their Chromebooks.

The Center for Applied Science and Technology (COAST) has its own section, which was discussed in the proposed information policy because of the needs of different students. The school houses students from sixth through 12th grade and provides career paths for some who were previously allowed to use cell phones. However, COAST is also home to the district’s long-term suspension program, which prohibited students from using devices.

“It just makes it very difficult for staff to manage it in one building,” he said. “So we’re just going to ban it for the entire school day, for the entire day at COAST for all students.”

The policy changes were deferred to a second reading at a board committee meeting on Aug. 20 at the request of board member Harry Lemon.

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