The Putnam County School Board passed a new cell phone policy and will use a special plastic case to house phones during the day.
The NuGerm case is a clear, plastic case with a magnetic lock in which students will keep their phones throughout the school day. Associate Director of Schools Tim Martin said the cases function exactly the same as the fabric Yondr pouches the board considered purchasing last month.
“It’s $128,000 and it’s a one time cost,” Martin said. “It’s a lot cheaper. If they last three years, which it has a three year warranty on it, then we’re going to pay six times less for the NuGerm case.”
The new cell phone policy states kindergarten through fourth grade students may not have a phone at all. Students in fifth grade and above may bring phones to school, but they must be stored in the NuGerm cases during instructional time.
The Yondr pouches would have been leased annually at a cost of some $267,000. Martin said the case is very durable, but policy will be developed in case of loss or damages.
Director of Schools Corby King said NuGerm recommends schools using their cases have a certain number of unlocking magnets. King said he would rather have one magnet in each classroom.
“If we were truly in an emergency situation, again, part of the procedure is very limited, teachers would be allowed to take out the magnet so students could unlock them,” King said. “Also, at the end of the day, teachers could put [magnets] out so students can unlock them in the classroom before leaving. It would just be a little smoother process.”
King said the magnets in every classroom would cost an additional $35,000, which is still far cheaper than the Yondr pouches.
Chairman Lynn McHenry said he and the board members have done extensive research on the benefits of cell phone free learning.
“We’ve read books and studies, and a lot of information about the use of cell phones in school,” McHenry said. “If you do your research and do your study, you’ll come to the conclusion that this will be a great benefit for our students and our system.”
King said other schools with similar policies have reaped the benefits by way of increased engagement, academic performance, and fewer discipline referrals. King said other school systems have reported quick adjustment from everyone, including students, who also see the benefits.
