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School board approves bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone policy with high‑school lunch exception (6–1)
Summary
The Newport News School Board voted 6–1 Dec. 17 to adopt policy JCIB restricting student cell‑phone use during instructional hours but allowing high‑school students to use devices during lunch. Administrators said the change aligns with state guidance and local feedback; implementation details will be developed by staff.
The Newport News School Board voted 6–1 on Dec. 17 to adopt policy JCIB, a bell‑to‑bell student cell‑phone rule that requires devices to be stored in backpacks during instruction and permits high‑school students to use devices at lunch.
The policy restricts personal communication devices — including smartwatches — from the start of instructional time until dismissal. Ms. Brooks, who presented the proposal, said the district will allow high‑school students limited device use at lunch to support digital‑citizenship lessons and to help students who need to connect to jobs or manage appointments. "Allowing cell phone use at lunch also provides an opportunity for high‑school students who are currently working to connect to their jobs if needed," Ms. Brooks said.
Superintendent Dr. Mitchell and high‑school leaders told the board that principals and senior staff supported a lunchtime exception after surveying families and staff. "From the survey, most respondents supported turning phones off in backpacks during the instructional day and supported limited use at high‑school lunch," Ms. Brooks said. Board members also cited positive anecdotes from high schools where phones were already largely unavailable during instruction, saying teachers reported better engagement and improved grades in some classrooms.
Board members discussed operational issues, including consistent enforcement and whether additional cafeteria supervision will be required if high schools permit device use at lunch. One board member urged precise written procedures so enforcement is uniform across schools. The board agreed that detailed procedures will be developed by the superintendent's office and communicated division‑wide.
Eamon, Harris, Hunter, Alger and Chair Searls Law voted for the policy; Brown cast the lone vote against it. The motion was moved by Dr. Best and seconded by Eamon. The board will publish final procedures and an implementation timeline through the superintendent's office.
The vote is the latest step in a statewide push toward reduced classroom device use; the district also indicated it will monitor referrals and revisit the policy if needed.
