Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – In a rare rejection of a recommendation from superintendent Jennifer Gill, the District 186 school board Monday voted 5-2 against purchasing more than $200,000 worth of Yondr brand pouches (pictured), which hold students’ cell phones during the school day.

Only board president Micah Miller and board member Ken Gilmore voted in favor, with Miller expressing frustration that numerous teachers this past spring pleaded for help to stem the tide of violence, only to see the board turn down what Miller said would be a good measure of safety.

Another board member, Debi Iams, said the feedback she received was more than fifty percent against Yondr, adding that the pouch has been called “a glorified Ziploc bag.”

Joining Iams in voting against were board members Erica Austin, Sarah Blissett, Buffy Lael-Wolf, and Tony Mares.

It’s now up to Gill and the board to craft stricter and more consistent cell phone rules for students, as the policies had varied by school.

At the meeting’s beginning, superintendent Jennifer Gill addressed recent gun violence which Sunday, she said, claimed the life of a District 186 student. And she said the community continues to mourn Sonya Massey, whom police killed July 6.

“Without a doubt, fear, confusion, and anxiety exist among our students, staff, and families when any loss of life occurs in such a horrific manner,” said Gill, “and even more so when it’s at the hands of those that we should trust.”

Sean Grayson was a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who responded to Massey’s 9-1-1 call and shot her in the face. He is jailed and facing first-degree murder charges.