Editors’ Note: This story was originally published in the Rockbridge Report on Nov. 14.
Rockbridge County Public Schools Superintendent Phillip Thompson proposed a new cellphone policy that bans students’ use of cell phones during the school day.
The final cell phone policy will be presented and voted on at the Dec. 10 school board meeting and take effect Jan. 6, Thompson said.
The main change from the county’s current cell phone policy is that high school students will no longer be able to access their cell phones between classes and during lunch. There is no change from the current cell phone policy for elementary and middle school students, who already cannot use their phones at school.
Students with an Individualized Education plan, 504 plan, disability or language barrier are still allowed to access technology if approved by the director of special education.
The new cell phone policy comes after Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order in July to mandate cell phone-free classrooms. He says cell phones are negatively impacting student’s’ learning and mental health.
Thompson agreed, citing cell phone and mental health statistics at his presentation during a November school board meeting. Thompson said he believes in “everything in moderation,” but students use phones constantly.
“It’s become a harmful thing in many ways for our students,” Thompson said. “They’re a great tool when they’re used appropriately, but because of the way in which they’ve been used by a lot of our youth, it’s causing some mental health concerns.”
Parents and students have expressed concerns about banning cell phones, including student safety and enforcement, but Thompson addressed both in his presentation.
Thompson said once a policy is adopted, all faculty and students will have meetings to ensure everyone understands the policy. Parents will also receive a mailed copy of the final policy.
The proposed cell phone policy includes how teachers will enforce it.
Students will receive a verbal reminder if seen using a phone. After four warnings, they will lose access to their phones in school for 30 days.
Caden Marshall, a Rockbridge County High School student, said she’s concerned about her safety without access to a cell phone. Thompson said students will have access to cell phones in an emergency since they will be in their backpacks. But, he encourages parents to refrain from texting or calling to keep students focused, especially during emergencies.
“It’s very difficult for a parent to be able to help us out in that situation when they’re not there,” Thompson said. “We want nothing more than to see your children get home as safely as they came to us, but we need them focused on us.”
