Let’s look at local school policies in the wake of Youngkin’s push for ‘phone-free’ classrooms

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order Tuesday aimed at banning K-12 public school students from using their phones during classes.

Youngkin’s order applies to students in grades K-12 in Virginia public schools, according to a release from his office. The order requires the state Department of Education to create guidelines to prevent students from using their phones during class. The department aims to finalize its guidelines by September so school districts can adopt them by Jan. 1, 2025, the release said.

News 3 asked public school districts in seven cities about their current cellphone policies. We also asked if they plan to adopt Gov. Youngkin’s rule into their policies.

The schools’ responses are as follows:

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

The following information was found in the full Virginia Beach Public Schools cell phone policy, provided to News 3 by the school department:

Students are not allowed to use their phones during class. Phones should be turned off and placed in a personal bag, locker, designated area or car. Consequences for students who violate the rules range from warnings to suspension.

Virginia Beach Public Schools told News 3 their policy is in line with Governor Youngkin’s order.

Heather Sipe, president of the Virginia Beach Education Association, sent us the following statement:

“Cell phone use in the classroom is a concern for many teachers. It distracts students and often disrupts the learning environment. Last school year, VBCPS implemented a policy change (SB Policy 3-65.1) prohibiting the use of personal devices and accessories during class, but many teachers have struggled to enforce this policy. We at VBEA hope that the Virginia Department of Education, through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, will develop policies that are, in the words of our VEA President James Federman, ‘practical, feasible, and in the best interests of our teachers, students, and families.’ VBEA also hopes that the financial and funding implications of any mandate will be considered.”

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Cellphone policy and gifted education among topics at VB Schools retreat

Norfolk Public Schools

The following information was found in the Norfolk Public Schools cell phone policy, which is located on the Department of Education website:

Students are not allowed to use their phones during classes. Elementary school students are not allowed to have cell phones at school. Middle and high school students are allowed to bring their phones to school, but they are not allowed to use them during classes. Phones must be turned off and can be kept in a personal bag, locker, or on their person. Consequences for students who violate the rules include confiscation of the phone for the rest of the school year or for the rest of the school year and the phone being taken away by a parent.

Norfolk Public Schools did not respond to News 3’s inquiry regarding current policies and plans to respond to Governor Youngkin’s executive order.

Chesapeake Public Schools

The following information was found in the full Chesapeake Public Schools cellphone policy, provided to News 3 by the school department:

Students are not allowed to use their phones during classes. Phones should be turned off and stored in a personal bag, locker, teacher-designated space, or car.

Chesapeake Public Schools told News 3 their policy is in line with Governor Youngkin’s order.

Newport News Public Schools

The following information was found in the full Newport News Public Schools cell phone policy, which was posted on the education department website:

Students are not allowed to use their phones during class. Unless a student has prior permission, they may not bring any item—including a cell phone—that does not have an educational purpose and may distract from teaching and learning. Consequences for students who violate the policy range from warnings to parent-teacher conferences for reinstatement.

When News 3 asked Newport News Public Schools how the district plans to proceed following Governor Youngkin’s executive order, we received the following response:

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Youngkin aims to bring cellphone-free education to Virginia public school classrooms

Suffolk Public Schools

We were unable to locate the current Suffolk Public Schools cell phone policy on the education department website.

Suffolk Public Schools did not respond to News 3’s inquiry about their current policy and how they plan to proceed following Governor Youngkin’s executive order.

Hampton City Schools

The following information was found in the Hampton City Schools Student Rights and Responsibilities Code of Conduct, which is posted on the Department of Education website:

Students are not permitted to use phones during lessons, except during organised ‘Bring Your Own Device’ sessions supervised by a teacher or school staff member.

Hampton City Schools did not respond to News 3’s inquiry regarding current policy and plans to respond to Governor Youngkin’s executive order.

Portsmouth Public Schools

We were unable to locate the current cell phone policy for Portsmouth Public Schools on the education department website.

Portsmouth Public Schools did not respond to News 3’s inquiry regarding current policies and plans to respond to Governor Youngkin’s executive order.