Henrico School Board considers tightening cell phone policy with ‘bell-to-bell’ ban

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Henrico School Board is considering changes to its code of student conduct, including a plan that would tighten its cell phone policy.

Currently, Henrico County Public Schools' (HCPS) middle and high school students have to keep their phones stored away during class. The proposed "bell-to-bell" phone ban would keep them off their phones for the entire school day, including during lunch and in between class periods.

Elementary school students are already required to have their devices stored for the full school day.

Henrico's current phone policy has been more lenient than other school systems like Richmond, Hanover County and Chesterfield County, where a complete ban on cell phones has already been enforced.

This "bell-to-bell" phone ban derives from guidance issued by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

HCPS said its cell phone policy is reviewed annually by the school board as part of the Student Code of Conduct. The proposed change came after the school board received feedback from teachers on how the current policy has impacted instructional time.

According to the school board, 80% of teachers surveyed reported an improvement in student engagement during class time without phones and 72% of teachers also supported limiting phone use throughout the entire school day.

Tenesha Lewis, a Henrico parent, weighed in on the proposed change.

"I can understand the intention," she said. "I can't imagine any parent who would really be willing to have their kid move throughout the school day and be on their phone all day long with no real learning taking place."

Lewis' son is a freshman at Varina High School in Henrico County. She explained that the current policy has helped limit distractions -- but a full ban might raise safety concerns.

"Right now, I'm able to connect with my son in between classes and during the lunch period ... if we move to a bell-to-bell schedule, there's really no opportunity for me to access him or for him to access my husband, and that's a real issue."

Changes to the cell phone policy would not apply to students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, individualized health care plan or Limited English Proficiency plan.

The proposed 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct will be presented to the school board on Thursday, April 17 at the board’s afternoon work session. Parents will also have an opportunity to address the board in person at Thursday's school board meeting.

"There has to be an opportunity for students and parents to engage," Lewis said. "No child can advocate for themselves like a parent [can] and, for me, safety is a top concern, as is my ability to advocate for my child."

School administration will request the Board’s approval of the 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct at the June 12 school board meeting.