Hazel Park Schools Implement Cellphone Ban Early

Michigan district rolls out Yondr pouch program ahead of statewide law taking effect

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Hazel Park Schools in Michigan is getting a head start on implementing the state's new cellphone ban in classrooms, rolling out the Yondr Phone Free Schools Program starting March 2 - before the statewide law takes effect this fall. The district had struggled with out-of-control cellphone use, but the Yondr pouches have helped eliminate student-teacher conflicts over phones.

Why it matters

Michigan's new cellphone ban law aims to reduce distractions and improve student focus in the classroom. Hazel Park Schools' early adoption of the Yondr program demonstrates how districts can proactively address these issues ahead of the statewide mandate.

The details

Hazel Park Advantage, the district's alternative school, began testing the Yondr pouches in September. The pouches lock students' phones away during the school day, with a penalty of suspension and a $35 replacement fee if a student tampers with the pouch. The program will now expand to the Junior High and High School buildings, costing the district around $20,000 which was covered by safety funds. The district says the Yondr system has eliminated daily conflicts over cell phone use that were common before.

  • Michigan's new cellphone ban law takes effect this fall.
  • Hazel Park Schools is rolling out the Yondr program starting March 2, 2026.
  • The district began testing the Yondr pouches at Hazel Park Advantage in September 2025.

The players

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan who signed the new law banning cellphones in public school classrooms.

Kendall Smith

The principal of Hazel Park Advantage, the district's alternative school.

Amy Wilcox

The superintendent of Hazel Park Schools.

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What they’re saying

“From the perspective of my current teachers, cell phone use was totally out of control.”

— Kendall Smith, Principal, Hazel Park Advantage (cbsnews.com)

“I have had absolutely zero adverse student-teacher interactions for their cell phones this year. That was not the case last year. I had those types of conflicts daily last year.”

— Kendall Smith, Principal, Hazel Park Advantage (cbsnews.com)

“Students can pry, bang, do whatever to try to get it open, but it works. There's a penalty if you do open it. At this point, students engage with one another, which is really refreshing.”

— Kendall Smith, Principal, Hazel Park Advantage (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Yondr Phone Free Schools Program will roll out at the Hazel Park Junior High and High School buildings in addition to the alternative school.

The takeaway

Hazel Park Schools' proactive implementation of a cellphone ban through the Yondr pouch system demonstrates how districts can get ahead of state-level policies to improve classroom focus and student engagement, even before new laws take effect.