BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Independent School District School Board will be discussing the effectiveness of "Yondr" pouches during their July 25 meeting.
Board members will discuss the possibility of requiring all High School students to use Yondr pouches to restrict cellphone usage during instructional hours.
They will also be discussing how many school districts use Yondr pouches and if they are effective at keeping students engaged through the school day.
If required, students will have to keep their phones in a pouch that locks in certain phone-free areas, such as the classroom.
The pouches will allow students to keep their phones with them. However, the pouch will keep the cellphone locked in phone-free areas.
Students using Yondr will be able to unlock their phone pouch by stepping outside of the phone-free area and tapping the pouch on an unlocking base.
When students enter the phone-free spaces in the school, their phone will be placed inside a Yondr pouch. Once inside the phone-free area, the pouch is locked. However, students will still have their phone on them at all times.
If a students needs to use their phone, they can step outside the phone-free zone and tap their pouch on an unlocking base.
In August 2023 Woodville Independent School District began using Yondr pouches. Each middle school and high school student was given a Yondr pouch to keep their phones out of reach.
Woodville ISD officials looked at the benefits these pouches brought to other Texas school districts and that's all it took to get Superintendent Lisa Meysembourg on board.
"We are concerned about their social, emotional, and mental health. We are concerned about their engagement in learning and in class," Meysembourg said.
This new technology cost the district $13,000.
Woodville Assistant Principal Andrew Ireland previously told 12News the difference since using Yondr pouches was astounding.
"Finally seeing it happening and having meaningful conversations is what really happens. Then you see lunch rooms come alive, it is super exciting," Ireland previously said.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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