Since the introduction of Yondr pouches at Coronado High School in the 2024-2025 school year, numerous complaints have been made about them by students, parents, and teachers alike. Much of the pushback against the pouches stems from students and parents who are concerned that they will be unable to contact each other during an emergency. Another main concern people have with the pouches is the cost and whether the money would be better spent elsewhere.

According to NPR News, the initial cost to provide pouches for all middle and high school students was over $ 300,000. However, as of the date this article was published, there is no information available about any additional costs associated with the pouches in year two of the cell phone ban.

While most people agree that the phone policy has improved academic performance and student engagement, many also believe that the money could have been spent on an alternative solution or other campus improvements.

An alternative solution that most students agree on is the use of a numbered cell phone organizer, which could be hung in the front of classrooms. Teachers could require students to put their phones in their assigned pouches when they enter the room, or have them put their phones away if they are caught using them. These hanging organizers cost 25 dollars or less and can be purchased at a wide variety of stores, including Office Depot, Walmart, and online.

As expected, many students who disagree with the use of Yondr pouches refuse to use them. To combat this, security guards bring the kids to the office and confiscate the students’ phones. According to Kyle Soderstrom, a security guard at Coronado High School, the security team takes roughly 15-20 phones a day. While this number is smaller than last year and the beginning of this school year, phones still continue to be an issue.

The security office estimates that around 20% of the student body uses their Yondr pouches. A random survey conducted by the Cougar Daily showed that 0 out of 50 students use their Yondr pouches, and 22 of those students don’t know where their pouch is. The cost of Yondr pouches, along with the lack of use, shows that an alternate solution would be better for everyone.