More schools add phone policy, DOE voices support

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Since Gettysburg School District announced their new, unconventional phone policy, other schools have joined suit.

Edgemont School District in southwestern South Dakota will be implementing the same lockable cloth pouches as Gettysburg in the fall. 

Amy Ferley, Edgemont’s superintendent, said they decided to get the lockable pouches for their schools because policing phone use became too much and was taking away from student lessons.

“As teachers, we don't want to be responsible for holding on to a student's phone during the day or having to take it away or cause that fight,” Ferley said. 

The pouches, owned by a company called YONDR, lock with a magnet and can only be opened with an unlocking base. Each student will get a pouch to lock their phone in throughout the day and can unlock it from the bases mounted on the doors. 

Ferley acknowledged that students like to stay in contact with their parents, but said the communication without involving the school was becoming a safety issue. 

“All of a sudden there's a student ...