COLUMBUS COUNTY (WECT) – The Columbus County Board of Education voted to approve implementing YONDR pouches in the county’s high schools.

The school board voted to approve spending $59,000 to buy the YONDR pouch package.

The program requires students to put their phones in a magnetic pouch that locks during the school day. They keep the pouch with them and a special magnet unlocks the pouches before they go home.

Board members stated that they would make accommodations for any medical situations.

The board decided to implement the program in high schools for now. They said they will try to get funding to implement YONDR pouches in the middle schools within the next fiscal year.

The school board also approved implementing a vape detector system in the county’s high schools.

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