Henrico Schools proposes new ‘bell-to-bell’ cell phone ban

Henrico Schools officials are proposing a change to the Code of Student Conduct that would require middle and high school students to keep their cell phones tucked away, either in their backpacks or division storage containers, for the entire school day.

The division’s current cell phone policy requires middle- and high-schoolers to put their phones away during classes but not in-between classes or during lunch. HCPS has not made changes to the elementary school policy, which requires students in grades K-5 to put phones and other devices away for the school day, but a change to the corresponding consequences would ban an elementary student from bringing their phone to school upon the fifth offense.

The “bell-to-bell” phone ban, which aligns with guidance released by the Virginia Department of Education, would not apply to students with an Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, individualized health care plan, or Limited English Proficiency plan who may need their phones to monitor health concerns or for academic accommodations. 

The Henrico School Board will review the proposed changes at a work session this Thursday, April 17, and then vote on the revised code on June 12.

Other changes to the Code of Student Conduct would allow HCPS to prevent students who were reassigned due to criminal charges to not participate in graduation due to potential safety factors impacting the victim or victims.

According to an online survey, 80% of secondary teachers indicated that HCPS’ current phone policy had improved instruction, but about 60% said they encountered phone-related issues either daily or weekly. Teachers surveyed emphasized the importance of consistent implementation, according to HCPS leaders, and how properly enforcing the policy promotes respect for authority and a positive school culture.

School board to vote on new redistricting policy

The school board also is scheduled to vote on several policy changes at Thursday’s monthly meeting, including a new school redistricting policy that would require the superintendent and the school board to consider school boundary adjustments at least once every four years.

Changes to regulations also would do away with the current process required for school redistricting, which requires the creation of a redistricting planning committee of 50 community members, guided by an outside planning specialist or consultant, that would create boundary proposals for the school board.

Instead, the superintendent would be in charge of creating a “plan for community engagement” during the redistricting process through public meetings, surveys, or online forums. 

The school board originally was set to vote on the new policy on March 14, just 14 days after it was introduced, but board member Kristi Kinsella urged the board to allow more time for public input on the changes, saying the new policy was “completely redlined” with revisions.

“On an item as important as this one concerning boundary adjustments, I believe the public deserves the opportunity to give us feedback in at least a 30-day window,” she said.

Board members also will vote on the final 2025-2026 schools budget. Changes made by Henrico’s Board of Supervisors added $30.2 million to the recommended budget to provide all eligible full-time employees with a 6% raise and salary increases between 13.8% and 19.3% for certain support staff. 

In addition, the school board is scheduled to vote on HCPS’ Annual Special Education Plan for 2025-2026, which allocates $11.6 million for K-12 special education programming and $227,000 for early childhood special education programs.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to share feedback on HCPS’ proposed 2025-2030 Strategic Plan at a 5 p.m. in-person and online public forum on Thursday, and share general feedback at the board’s in-person and online public forum at Thursday’s monthly meeting.

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.