School officials weigh full 'bell-to-bell' phone ban after mixed PRC guidance

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Robertson told the Virginia Beach school board on June 9 that administration still recommends eliminating student cell phone use on school property from “bell to bell” next school year, but the Policy Review Committee (PRC) sent a narrower option to the board earlier that would allow high school students to use phones during lunch.

“Next year we were going to be cell phone free bell to bell, and I still feel that way,” Dr. Robertson said. “Our discipline data showed in January and February our number 1 infraction was cell phones.” He said his team’s recommendation is to prohibit use during the entire school day, while acknowledging caveats for emergencies and accommodations.

Camie Linetti, school board attorney and PRC presenter, said the committee discussed the same statute referenced at the state level — the transcript cites section 22.1‑793 — and that interpretation of the word “restrict” in the new state law is unsettled. Linetti told the board there was a 2–1 decision in the PRC to keep the currently allowed high‑school-lunch exception in place as written; administration recommended removing that exception.

Multiple board members asked for fuller data and a formal presentation before taking a final vote. Board member Miss Rogers requested clarity on enforcement and how a bell‑to‑bell prohibition would affect teacher duties; Superintendent Robertson said teachers would not be expected to act as “cell phone police” and that enforcement would fall to administrators and security staff, noting concerns about workload and consistency across sites.

Vice Chair Carolyn Weems and other board members pointed out a timing issue: when the division initially moved to a single lunch period in past years, enforcement and student adaptation varied by school. Board members asked administration to return with a more detailed briefing, including data on infractions, comparative district practices and anticipated enforcement burdens. Board members also noted that additional guidance from the Virginia Department of Education was expected and could affect the division’s final approach.

The transcript records discussion but no final board vote on the regulation at the June 9 meeting. The PRC’s 2–1 vote to keep the high‑school-lunch allowance was recorded as part of the committee’s recommendation; the administration’s recommendation to prohibit bell‑to‑bell use was also on the record. Several board members called for a follow‑up presentation and a clearer explanation of statutory interpretation before adopting a regulation that would change student device rules for the start of the next school year.