New Kent School Board adopts policy banning cell phones for students

Following guidance from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), New Kent’s School Board chose to implement a schoolwide prohibition on the school’s cell phone policy.

Members voted 4-0 to institute the policy following the Aug. 12 regular school bard meeting.

At the school board’s July regular meeting, members chose to table the policy as guidance was being awaited from VDOE per Governor Glenn Youngkin’s order. Youngkin had instructed VDOE to create an infrastructure for school districts to follow to ban or limit the use of cell phones and other communication devices during the active school date. New Kent school’s board had guidance on the policy, electing to implement theirs with consequences. VDOE’s formal policy was released on Aug. 13.

In the new policy for New Kent Public Schools, electronic devices are to be off and away during the entire instructional day. Devices may be turned on at the conclusion of the school day according to New Kent’s policy.

At the elementary level, a first offense is a verbal warning with a subsequent offense leading to confiscation. At the middle and high school level, the first offense will lead to a parent’s notification with a second offense resulting in collection of the device. For both schools, any cell phone that is taken into possession by the teacher and turned in must be collected by the parent. The teacher is required to record information on when the item is taken. If the student repeats the offense, a meeting between the administrator and parent will take place, with the result being suspension for additional further infractions.

The measure taken by the school board follows Youngkin’s executive order to have a “cell-free” school zone to promote a better educational environment. All school districts are required to adopt a policy by Jan. 1, 2025.