[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6300068,"mediaKeyId","2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb","parentId",2493978,"title","Lynchburg schools report mixed early results from new cell‑phone policy; teachers report classroom gains","audioSeconds",1299,"startMs",4167000,"endMs",5466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb&start=4167&end=5466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb/thumbnail_4167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300068/Virginia/Lynchburg-schools-report-mixed-early-results-from-new-cellphone-policy-teachers-report-classroom-gains","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300068-2333b46d4b58dca9573baa37b70ed0d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150674&Signature=lkZ4kvhzv0zATcSOi0IIOzyR22HsYeMZJZTIX8LOFTFR2PnuC9e-k9rzcAogFzw2JUcwIeUmuzroLBT~Qdgd3xdiruBc-duK-YH5UaGGeSEiupHGlyTUm5BQuzSvAQmbvkGMpxkjFcOblLjvhE~yTjr~xA5~20K8iQwtX5gYdq4BHxStZno5woneRyLfxiJ5xpIDCdTAsHeMRAnSTdRWvnyJ0D0~PaNL2m7n-tiw-E~nXVlNCjyE4wCY2XwLi5vsbQ2meJOKAxOow9xjIZvwjYz-huZR3WQnomObOhAl2cnp~VGDq7LVGxO~3kCt7u4ALJXWtmlhPq1tcLYfaFyBcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LYNCHBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS","date","2025-02-28T20:19:12Z","article","Lynchburg City Schools administrators and principals on Tuesday reported early, mixed results from a new districtwide cell‑phone policy that went into effect in January.

District administrator Dr. Brown presented survey results showing teachers who responded reported improved student attention and engagement, while the majority of students and parents reported no change or were slightly negative about social and mental‑health impacts.

The surveys, Brown said, included about 1,400 student responses, 468 parent responses and 69 educator responses. \"We are providing a handout for some survey results that we sent out,\" Brown told the board. He summarized results: teachers who responded generally reported positive effects on classroom focus and academic performance; students and parents were mostly neutral, with a noticeable share reporting increased stress and anxiety.

Principals who joined the presentation offered classroom observations consistent with the teacher responses. A principal representing E.C. Glass told the board her building surveyed 24 classroom teachers and that 79% said they saw improvements in student attention and focus. \"Seventy‑two percent of teachers reported that they are seeing more student responsibility in regards to inappropriate cell phone usage,\" the principal said.

Administrators and principals identified wireless headsets and earbuds as the most persistent compliance challenge. \"The headsets have been the biggest issue, particularly between classes,\" a high‑school principal said, noting students use them to decompress between periods.

Board members asked about objective, long‑term measures such as test scores. Brown and other staff cautioned it is too early to show academic impact. Brown said the district plans follow‑up analysis over the summer and will try to correlate disciplinary and individual student behavior changes with performance measures: \"It's really early to look at that, but that is something that we will take a look at,\" he said. Assistant staff noted the January implementation and weather interruptions limited immediate data collection.

Administrators also described operational steps to support consistent enforcement: communications to families before rollout, principal meetings to align implementation, and teacher guidance emphasizing \"high care, high expectation\" classroom practices. Board members raised concerns about fairness when teachers use phones during class; principals said expectations for staff compliance have been communicated and that personnel follow‑up would occur when needed.

The district intends to collect more data this spring and present additional findings to the board later this year. Officials said they will also examine targeted measures—such as changes among students with repeated policy violations—to better assess academic effects.

The board did not take formal action during the presentation; staff were asked to return with follow‑up data and recommended metrics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCS School Board Meeting: March 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lynchburg City Schools administrators and principals on Tuesday reported early, mixed results from a new districtwide cell‑phone policy that went into effect in January.","taxTitle","LYNCHBURG CITY PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia","taxId",38444,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300054,"Finance director reports January month‑end: revenues lag, encumbrances high, some expenditure variances flagged",294,2312000,2606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb&start=2312&end=2606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6300054/Virginia/Finance-director-reports-January-monthend-revenues-lag-encumbrances-high-some-expenditure-variances-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300054-b9bd13a1d70ef52241acd3f31517caae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150674&Signature=Ai03Qx4iF--ptSEsQP9YHxuAM4G2jtsVd8M5xKsNA375uzSnGxk0xgEC3U-xcihCCkucMq7zsiw0NwrTsz-pkM-JFJrg8iyY~yvTd8yVMYVNAmC9xwWuVHPIsY7wEFk28zq4Zf6go1u4dT5cjmPKK7A7P4e2iyC2znAA3auyqN2b6VAlUu5ZCUqo4-LMKS-qYIy65c6Bqsyd7I~GWHSu0e1s2AIWdbHPNg8NED9nN-Z-4z6JeNX90wghCjDS3h-4nIq~yLujaRbMRWs0DPvwBComBEa2gF9m-XmvNWCxoAgFQ3J1GpgJv2fThCVG8vyxQ0iFKVQCyShkE1MjJ~9~vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynchburg City Schools staff presented the January 31, 2025 month‑end financial report on Tuesday, highlighting revenue timing and several expenditure variances.

The presenter reported that roughly 50.83% of the fiscal year had passed as of Jan. 31 and that 43.6% of originally adopted revenues had been collected year‑to‑date. Expenditures versus the original appropriation were at 51.48%, while total expenditures inclusive of encumbrances equaled 94.26%, staff said, noting encumbrances are set‑asides that may not be ultimately spent.

Staff identified notable variances: attendance and health‑services personnel had used about 90.3% of their budget line due to salary and benefits coding and placement; security services (including the Raptor system and Sonitrol monitoring) had used roughly 93.96% of its budget; and several technology lines for pupil transportation, administration and instructional support were front‑loaded because software and licensing are paid early in the year.

On revenue composition, staff reported federal revenue at about 50.8% of expected collections year‑to‑date, state revenue at 26.7% and local revenue at 30.3% (presenter noted timing differences and anticipated mid‑spring adjustments when the Virginia Department of Education disburses funds). Miscellaneous collections were at 114.2% of target while charges for services were at 87.6%.

The board asked about health‑insurance receipts, which had been lower in January compared with the prior year even though premiums rose in January; staff explained receipts often run a month behind and expected collections to increase in February and March.

Board members and staff agreed to revisit certain coding issues — for example, some attendance clerks were coded to central administration though their duties are school‑based, and staff plan to realign distribution codes to move expenditures into school budgets where appropriate.

No board action was taken; staff will return with any needed coding changes and further updates in subsequent reports.","Lynchburg City Schools staff presented January month‑end numbers showing 43.6% of adopted revenues collected and expenditures at 51.48% of appropriation, with total expenditures including encumbrances at 94.26%.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300058,"School board ad hoc search committee outlines confidential timeline; board to review candidate files ahead of March closed session",433,4451000,4884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb&start=4451&end=4884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb/thumbnail_4451000.jpg","/articles/6300058/Virginia/School-board-ad-hoc-search-committee-outlines-confidential-timeline-board-to-review-candidate-files-ahead-of-March-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300058-d186068b22df0474ef37cc1d94db2188/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150674&Signature=QgBdEp9ycr9ICNqX9MguQPxR7LAY9wBN9ne8LrhyENlDdVhihsMz4WJHgGVaV9ZOoKKCpYmFk~qgS4gbBXa4bfkcBBsnxtFuKigx5UKWI8rKPo7hwR7NHTwosgJNGpfOnfXhlXtbQKwGdGig0bkG9-PstMDC3SD-pXeN1vlp5zjmlGekMZNA7UFRQrVbqCCkTF9VSkKFONxntZEj71Te~bzDHbrwXmXfLrAt2yTwQ17m2wo62mz7Dy5EjfIJeLHAa7VeLUI~7o-T1PvIaYtYUg88goUpxtWPLyuFpnw2qA-gPfKEaWSrV53bbJQyPz8clXMUjlftavi9eFNSS2iF8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynchburg City Schools ad hoc superintendent search committee told the board Tuesday that applicant files are being prepared and will be shared with committee members and board members on secure flash drives ahead of committee meetings.

Committee chair Dr. Tinsley said the ad hoc committee would meet March 13 to review and rank applicants and may follow with a March 17 meeting if needed. Candidates will be presented to the full board in a closed session on March 18 to preserve confidentiality, she said.

\"Confidentiality, obviously, is a big deal at this point in the process because we are getting down to actual names,\" Tinsley said. She asked board members to refrain from sharing candidate materials because applicants may still be employed elsewhere.

The consulting firm assisting the search will present candidate files to the ad hoc committee; the committee expects to recommend a subset of finalists for in‑person interviews. Staff said the number of finalists to bring to the district for in‑person interviews is a budget decision: the consultants will recommend five but the committee and board will balance cost and logistics before approving how many to invite.

Board members asked whether interview logistics (in‑person vs. electronic) were decided; staff said that will be determined once the number of finalists is finalized on March 18. Travel and interview expenses for finalists will be covered if finalists are invited for on‑site interviews, staff said.

Dr. Tinsley asked board members to provide any feedback on applicants to the ad hoc committee before the March 13 meeting. The committee stressed it will require signed confidentiality agreements for recipients of the applicant flash drives.","The school board’s ad hoc superintendent search committee said it will distribute applicant files to board members on thumb drives, meet March 13 to rank applicants, and present candidate recommendations in a March 18 closed session; confidentiality rules will apply until finalists are chosen.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300063,"School board chair says joint city‑school task force will seek compromise on $60M CIP, Sandusky rebuild uncertain",477,3199000,3676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb&start=3199&end=3676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb/thumbnail_3199000.jpg","/articles/6300063/Virginia/School-board-chair-says-joint-cityschool-task-force-will-seek-compromise-on-60M-CIP-Sandusky-rebuild-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300063-e32a0a4276531a3c9838c5a5eb5a2366/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150674&Signature=pAjVUMe6PblV-AynjxbkTIDSW74wTnE0UhizzkIIVMP8RfVvtFseWNQbviPf68YboA0A4Q06TRvuA5~5H1C2L0S5NkuGCloH0ZEMsrQctqDX3t7hmPA6oYyEP8uvak7kEbleFD6H9~x6Uin3Tlz8QKuglT5MbAyCwPaiLjHA06MYDb8UtXIrbSOm3nzxdDGks0EZ66VZdfvO98OKoDGZtxK5~xbjwcPcKdfgluM1tCcpeb47~blw6NJ6H6GnzI5FV8Yr7nfojb3TfmuJ4LvDWSl86wxvj0XsdPwcU46AZETeSbz40PffK8yPZ3ZQs3xKOutUfJVDmkh353kXg0qgPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School Board Chair Dr. Day told the Lynchburg City Schools board on Tuesday that a joint task force with City Council will meet through late April to try to reconcile the school division’s capital requests with the city’s draft capital improvement plan (CIP).

\"This new committee, the joint task force or JTF, will meet for the first time on February 27,\" Dr. Day said, adding the panel plans four additional meetings and will expire no later than June 30. The task force, co‑chaired by Day and a council member, is composed of three school board representatives and three city council members.

At Tuesday’s briefing, Day said the committee adopted a simplified statement of purpose and agreed to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, with a special rule that members must vote (no abstentions) unless a conflict exists. The task force will not have authority to bind either body; it intends to produce recommendations both bodies could support.

Day said the task force will consider \"close‑to‑home\" zoning, which schools will be open for the 2025‑26 school year, alternate education facilities, school enrollments and capacities, alignment of school plans with the city's proposed CIP, and possible state funding options. He warned that the board’s plan to rebuild Sandusky \"does not appear, at least to me, possible based on the city's draft CIP plan for 2025 through 2030.\"

The task force’s next meetings were listed as March 12, March 27, April 10 and April 29, with the April 29 meeting intended as a joint full meeting of council and the school board to present a recommendation.

Board members emphasized the need to preserve institutional memory by keeping a mix of first‑, second‑, and third‑year members on the panel. Dr. Day and other board members noted the panel’s short timeline and urged that discussions remain focused on student needs rather than personalities.

The task force’s procedural choices were discussed: Day said he will preside over meetings and will vote only to break ties; the co‑chair from the city side retains full voting rights as a council member. Day stressed the committee’s role is advisory: \"All it proposes to do is try to come up with a recommendation that we think both bodies will support. But then it's up to the two bodies…if they really are gonna support that recommendation or not,\" he said.

No formal votes were taken by the school board at Tuesday’s meeting; the announcement primarily set expectations and schedules for upcoming joint deliberations.","Lynchburg City Schools and City Council have formed a joint task force to reconcile school facility needs and the city's capital improvement plan. The committee will meet through April and aims to recommend joint options but has no formal decision‑making power; Sandusky rebuild appears unlikely under current draft city CIP.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6300049,"School board approves transfer of Heritage Park parcels to city for park development",375,3744000,4119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb&start=3744&end=4119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493978-64ac504f41d82794d8058916eaa465bb/thumbnail_3744000.jpg","/articles/6300049/Virginia/School-board-approves-transfer-of-Heritage-Park-parcels-to-city-for-park-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300049-306af906d66650090510349f64ecab31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150674&Signature=PS1MAtZPPnDEx9eMic4xaxJ2RYclkMbgpTKq7u~oMh4c25BXGbYYRgAMM73WJyl2WgGvAtBDTqLZwMrwnKtXj1JAxcCrj5DFK~d~KAHoqeO3F5VKmJmK526Vld0leX8K-OYIAvpaCHxWTVlEYg8weEnk3rlt8aSc9qldRZmrYt-~GwRYr9i7tpH9tHxa8uGoVuuO1ossyt8beddMwNumieTRttTo7uUlIlcPg8qOsIkev2Z1LpJse3ofgXniGgf~ABp14w8csBwFh4oPJBP4h7HI1hPQTZLP9GX5AyR2aJfFJBtIiqTQAVMwFtPhr16gvRxH76T9TcnZo0LvVUjYGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynchburg City Schools board voted Tuesday to transfer two parcels adjacent to the Heritage campus to the City of Lynchburg for development and maintenance as public parkland.

Dr. Roderick, presenting on behalf of finance and facilities, said the parcels had been reviewed previously by the Finance and Facilities Committee and recommended for transfer. \"The purpose of that was ... to develop a public park that would be used both for the school community, but also the larger community as well,\" Roderick said.

City Parks and Recreation Director Woody White was present and, Roderick said, assured the board that Heritage community uses would have priority when the property is needed by the school. The parcels include the former practice fields accessible off Leesville Road.

Board members asked about access controls and whether a fence or gate would be used to separate school campus areas. Roderick and Parks staff said the property currently has a metal gate on the Leesville Road side and that the department will coordinate typical park hours (currently posted as sunrise to sunset) and use protocols with the school.

A motion to approve the transfer passed by roll call; the clerk recorded a unanimous \"yes\" from board members present. The board did not attach conditions to the transfer beyond the Parks and Recreation department's assurance that the Heritage community would have priority access for school‑related activities.

No immediate budget or design details were included in the motion; Parks and Recreation staff will handle future planning and maintenance under city management.","Lynchburg City Schools unanimously approved transferring two parcels adjacent to Heritage campus to the City of Lynchburg for park development. City Parks and Recreation will maintain the property and has assured school community priority use; trustees discussed access and hours but raised no objection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lynchburg schools report mixed early results from new cell‑phone policy; teachers report classroom gains

Finance director reports January month‑end: revenues lag, encumbrances high, some expenditure variances flagged

School board ad hoc search committee outlines confidential timeline; board to review candidate files ahead of March closed session

School board chair says joint city‑school task force will seek compromise on $60M CIP, Sandusky rebuild uncertain

School board approves transfer of Heritage Park parcels to city for park development