Montclair Public Schools announced in June that it would partner with Yondr on a pilot initiative to address student cell phone use this fall.
Yondr created the “Yondr Pouch,” a magnetic pouch that keeps phones locked. In order for students to unlock the phone, they will have to go to the “unlocking base.”
in August, before the start of school, Damen Cooper, interim schools superintendent, said the district had decided to postpone rollout of the Yondr pilot, citing the need for more conversation.
Candidates on Cell Phones in Schools
There are six candidates running for the Montclair Board of Education this November. Two candidates, Eric Scherzer and Sean Long, are currently serving on the board. Montclair Local asked readers to submit questions for a candidates forum, with the League of Women Voters Montclair Area, on Tuesday, October 29. The most common question submitted by readers asked where the candidates stand on restricting cell phone use in Montclair schools.
Montclair Local asked all six candidates the following question:
Q. Research increasingly shows that cell phones and social media can negatively impact student well-being and academic performance by contributing to issues like anxiety, reduced focus, and lower academic engagement.
What is your position on adopting a “no phones in school” policy in our district, and would you strongly advocate for the use of enforcement tools, like Yondr pouches, to support this policy? Additionally, how do you envision updating our district’s current phone policy to better support students’ learning and mental health?
Candidate answers are below, in the order in which they were received.
Holly Shaw
I support a clear and consistent phone policy across schools, as it would alleviate the burden on teachers to enforce it individually. There are multiple articles and studies supporting limiting access to cell phones during the school day. For this reason, I would advocate for a trial of Yondr pouches at the elementary and middle school levels, where they could be particularly effective.
However, the high school presents unique challenges. With multiple buildings, entrances, and exits, as well as students leaving for off-campus lunch, dual enrollment, and those who use phones as car keys (e.g., Tesla), implementing Yondr pouches might not be as feasible. A thoughtful approach with trial and error would be necessary.
Jada Roman
As parents and community members, we need a consistent and transparent policy that speaks to using cell phones and social media within all buildings. Said policy must speak directly to the facts of how overuse and exposure can exacerbate mental health concerns, distraction within learning environments, and isolation. I want this policy to go deeper into detail as to how the management of the devices will occur in each building, making it the responsibility of the student, parent/caregiver, and the district overall, where it does not fall on just the classroom teacher.
I would like to see us as a community review of the available options of vendors who can supply support, with Yonder being one of those vendors. Piloting a program within each system level (elementary, middle, and high school) with actual data and feedback from staff and students. The complete rollout will include communications with staff, students, families, and community members with ongoing updates. This must coincide with security practices within the building to assist in alleviating fears from families who feel that cell phones are necessary for that concern.
Eric Scherzer
The current published cell phone policy is vague and difficult to enforce. I have advocated for a clear, enforceable cell phone policy which prohibits their use in middle and high school classrooms and prevents their use in elementary schools.
While we consider revising the policy, Montclair High School has put new guidelines in place — an “off and away” procedure in each classroom that is enforceable. Students put their phones away in backpacks or shoe pouches when entering the classroom and retrieve them at the end of each class period. This new procedure appears to be working without the added expense of Yondr pouches.
With my encouragement, the District Leadership Team (BOE members, administrators and union leaders) considered this issue at its September and October meetings. I hope this will soon result in a district-wide procedure that will include a cell phone ban in the elementary schools and the same “off and away” procedures in middle schools that are currently in place at MHS.
After these steps, the Board should review their impact on students, teachers and the school environment and then, after public input, decide whether it is necessary to move to a full ban in the upper grades.
June Raegner
I agree research shows cell phone usage and social media negatively impacts the well-being and academic performance of students. I support the district updating its policy of “OFF AND AWAY” banning cellphones use in classrooms after appropriate community input has been solicited, given and heard.
Widespread buy-in from students and parents is important in ensuring the success of a new policy regarding cellphones. Making sure the policy is appropriate when viewed through an equity lens is crucial. Having important exceptions for students with IEPs and 504s is also necessary.
Please note I was part of a group of parents who asked for the current policy to be enforced last year in discussions during Montclair School Action Team for partnerships meetings for Montclair High School.
Sean Long
I support policy requiring cell phones to be off and away during school hours, with clear guidelines tailored to the needs of elementary, middle, and high school students. While Yondr offers one solution, many districts have successfully implemented less expensive alternatives. The data strongly suggests that this issue demands our immediate attention. I believe we should act with urgency to provide our students and teachers with the support they need through a pilot program, while we finalize the long-term policy.
Andrew Gideon
Candidate did not respond.
