The Christian County School Board received an update regarding the implementation of Yondr pouches at Thursday’s meeting.
During the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly, lawmakers passed House Bill 208, which prohibits students from having any type of telecommunication devices in classrooms. To comply with the newly established law, the school board voted to purchase Yondr pouches for high school students.
At the beginning of the school day, students place their devices in the pouch, which has a magnetic lock. Then at the end of the day, the bag can be unlocked by tapping it to a magnetic key.
Student Services Director Kim Stevenson says the implementation of the pouches has gone smoothly, and so far, they have received 335 referrals concerning cellphone infractions from middle and high school students.
Christian County High School Principal Megan Kem says students may not love the pouches, but she is seeing some academic improvements since they have been implemented. In comparison to last year, Kem says fewer students are failing classes.
Students and staff at the school were surveyed about the pouches. Kem says students reported that classroom noise levels have lowered, students are more engaged and teacher and student collaboration has improved.
Kem says teachers reported that students have been participating more in class discussions and have been more engaged since the implementation of the pouches. Kem read some of the teacher’s comments.
The school district was given a 15% surplus of pouches to replace any that are damaged.