At least one Kansas district is projecting $150,000 to $180,000 just to equip secondary students with individual phone lockers, according to the Wichita Eagle. The state provided zero dedicated funding. Every dollar comes from local budgets.
Districts choosing fabric locking pouches — think Yondr, the magnetic-lock system concert venues use to keep audiences present — face an estimated $30 per unit. Statewide, the Kansas Division of the Budget put that figure at roughly $13.4 million if every student received one, according to the Lawrence KS Times. Lockers require a steeper upfront investment. Neither option came with a state check attached.
Legislators passed the policy. The price tag was someone else’s problem.
Public education is ruined. Glad I graduated before phones were banned.
Yeah… I don’t know how us olds made it before the cellular phone was invented.
It was awful. We had to walk to school uphill both ways, and since this was pre global warming the snow was higher than our heads. You kids don’t know how good you have it. \s
In all seriousness, life is better now that my kids have phones. However it is only slightly better. My school had a phone students could use to call their parents - for all the times my kids use their cell phone to call me - we just had to wait in line for your turn.
Sadly, you’re right. Different states handle it different ways and we’re still seeing disasters across the board.
I feel awful for the teachers I know. Kids apparently can’t even answer a question when it’s written on the board in front of them, and most can’t focus for more than 60 seconds.