Henrico board reviews proposed student code changes to ban secondary student phones during school day and tighten cyberbullying language

Henrico County Public Schools staff on April 17 outlined proposed revisions to the division—ode of student conduct that would change how student cell phones and smart devices are handled in secondary schools, tighten language on cyberbullying, and add a new provision affecting participation in graduation when specific criminal charges are pending.

The revisions are a first review and would return to the board later for final action. Staff said the changes follow a year of pilot implementation and multi-stakeholder feedback including students, teachers, principals and advisory committees.

What the proposal says: For secondary schools the draft would replace the phrase "during scheduled class time" with language requiring students to keep phones and unauthorized smart devices away during the school day and to deposit them in division-issued containers during every class. Students would keep phones out of use during class changes and at lunch but may carry them in personal belongings. Elementary-school rules would remain unchanged. The presentation stressed that consequences for cell-phone violations should not include suspension or expulsion for a phone-only offense.

Exceptions and accommodations: Staff proposed explicit language allowing students with individualized education programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, individualized health-care plans, or limited-English-proficiency accommodations to possess and use a phone on school property when the device is needed to monitor a health condition or provide an approved accommodation.

Enforcement, consistency and tracking: Staff presented survey results showing strong stakeholder support for a school-day restriction: an advisory committee question drew 56 responses with 52 in favor and 4 opposed to requiring school-issued containers during the school day. However, staff acknowledged uneven implementation: about 47% of secondary teachers reported using division-issued containers this year, and roughly 70% of teachers reported feeling supported by administrators in enforcing the policy. Board members repeatedly raised concerns about consistent enforcement, consequences and logistics for hallway and lunch-time violations. Several trustees asked how referrals and offense counts would be tracked; staff said offenses are handled and recorded by administrators through PowerSchool.

Graduation participation and cyberbullying: Staff also proposed language addressing whether students with specific reassignment codes tied to community criminal charges (referenced in the presentation as "SBAR code BESO 18" and citing Code of Virginia language) may be barred from graduation exercises if the charges remain active and pose safety concerns; staff said participation may be allowed if charges are deferred, reduced or dismissed. Separately, staff said Senate Bill 908 requires more explicit code language about cyberbullying and that cross-departmental work is ongoing to consolidate those procedures in the code.

Board discussion and next steps: Board members voiced support for a clearer, division-wide policy and emphasized training, communications and implementation guidance for administrators and teachers. Trustee Irving described the classroom effects he observed in his experience and urged clearer enforcement tools; trustee Kinsella and others asked staff to consider having parents or guardians retrieve confiscated devices, with discussion about when that consequence should apply. Staff said proposed code language would be paired with training and implementation guidance if the board approves the change at a later meeting.

Ending: Staff emphasized that the proposed language is intended to increase consistency and fairness across schools and said they would bring implementation materials and training for administrators should the board adopt the revisions.