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.
Taking away phones is the adult thing to do, I don't know how many kids you've interacted with lately, but trust me, they're dumber than dogshit.
I'm pretty schools have enough phones and adults to have calling 911 covered many times over, with nary a student having a cell phone.
I know, I went to school before they existed. We did fine.