This year, Bear River High School has expanded its use of Minga beyond Flex scheduling to include digital student IDs, a change that staff say has already brought both convenience and accountability to campus life.

Principal Chris Roberts believes the shift reflects a broader trend.

“Considering that most students have phones, digital IDs just make sense. At some point in the future, I could even see driver’s licenses being digital,” Roberts said.

One of the biggest improvements has been eliminating the problem of forgotten ID cards.

“We used to hear all the time, ‘I left my ID at home,’” Roberts explained. “But kids don’t leave home without their phone — it’s like an extra appendage — so having digital IDs has been really helpful.”

Safety has also been a driving force behind the change. Roberts emphasized that digital IDs allow staff to quickly confirm student identities throughout the day.

“For me, my number one responsibility is school safety. Digital IDs help us ensure that the kids who are supposed to be here are here, especially during the school day and after-school activities,” he said.

The system also supports accountability, since Minga IDs are tied to school policies and privileges.

“Now that tardies, dress code, and cell phone violations are tied to participation in after-school activities, Minga IDs help us hold students accountable,” Roberts explained. “You can’t cause problems all day and then expect to go to the dance that night — you have to walk the walk.”

With both staff and students adapting, Bear River’s transition to digital IDs is already being recognized as a practical step toward efficiency, safety and fairness.