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Local school systems’ aim to bring their cell phone policies in line with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 continued last week, with the Rockbridge County School Board receiving a draft of the county’s new policy, and the Lexington School Board voting to approve its policy that was presented last month.
The Buena Vista School Board is expected to vote on its draft regulation at its meeting next month.
In Rockbridge County’s cell phone policy draft, students are prohibited from using cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day, defined as the time between the first bell and dismissal, including lunch and class transitions. Devices must be powered off and stored in backpacks, lockers, or designated areas.
Violations result in escalating disciplinary actions, ranging from a verbal warning to device confiscation for 30 days, with further consequences for repeated noncompliance.
The policy also prohibits using devices for bullying, harassment, academic dishonesty, or any inappropriate behavior. Exceptions include documented accommodations, approved medical needs, and use during noninstructional after-school activities, or on buses if non-disruptive.
Rockbridge County school officials plan to finalize their draft after gathering input from stakeholders.
Rockbridge County’s draft closely resembles policies in Lexington and Buena Vista, with a few distinctions. Unlike Lexington, where devices are stored in lockers, Rockbridge aligns with Buena Vista in allowing students to keep phones in backpacks. Rockbridge’s disciplinary process differs slightly as well, particularly for repeated violations at the fourth offense.
When the Lexington School Board was presented the city’s draft policy last month, Superintendent Rebecca Walters highlighted its similarity to previous policies, which already required students to store devices during instructional time. Buena Vista’s cell phone regulation, drafted as a simpler alternative to a formal policy, allows devices to be stored in backpacks or lockers. High-schoolers face stricter consequences for noncompliance, including placement at the Alternative Suspension Center for repeated violations or refusal to surrender a phone.
In compliance with the executive order, the new policies and regulation at all three school districts will be implemented at the beginning of the semester in January 2025.
