Stricter Electronic Device Policy Approved For Loudoun Schools Students

ASHBURN, VA — Loudoun County Public Schools students will return to school after winter break with more restrictions on their cell phones and other electronic devices. Scroll to the end of our story to take our poll.

On Tuesday, the Loudoun County School Board approved an updated policy on student use of personal electronic devices. That policy bans use of cell phones, laptops, Macs, smart watches, AirPods and other personal internet-connected devices at schools during the bell-to-bell school day. The only exceptions to the policy are use of school-issued laptops and devices and devices used by students with documented accommodations.

The policy is in response to a new Virginia law that passed in April. The changes will take effect on Jan. 5, when students are back from winter break.

Catoctin District representative Kari LaBell noted it was now state law that students cannot use cell phones during the instructional period.

"When students come into the school in the morning and the morning bell rings, those devices have to be already put away out of reach, out of sight, and they must stay that way for the remainder of the day until the closing bell rings," said LaBell. "After the closing bell, they are free to use them. They are free to use them on the bus in the morning, on the buses in the afternoon, at activities, clubs that are not during the instructional portion of the day."

The new policy required by state law is more expansive than the previous school-board adopted policy. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, LCPS had restricted personal device use during the school day. Under that policy, elementary school students cannot use personal devices during the school day, and middle school students must keep devices silent and away in lockers.

The new policy is particularly a change for high school students, who have been allowed to access devices outside of instructional time. The school district noted students may need reminders or warnings to put away their devices during the entire school day.

Under the previous LCPS-adopted policy, school administration could give approval to teachers for students to use personal devices for class activities.

Superintendent Aaron Spence confirmed that teachers can continue their own classroom policies that have been effective in storing students' phones away.

Student school board representative RJ Nosegbe of Heritage High School noted concern with student safety in light of incidents like the Brown University fatal shooting.

"I understand we say we have security officers and the front office can obviously talk for us, but let's say you're separated from the large population of the group of the student body," said Nosegbe. "I fear that is an issue to the safety of our kids in LCPS."

Nosegbe also mentioned concerns with restrictions on personal laptops, noting the school-issued Chromebooks can have internet crashes when he is trying to get computer science work done.Several school board members noted they did not favor the state-required policy.

Chair Melinda Mansfield said the policy is "outing" students with disabilities, as they

Algonkian District representative April Chandler noted school-issued devices may not have the full functions needed for student journalism and broadcast functions.

"The entire time, I've been proud of the policy we put in place and pleased wiht how it was working out," said Chandler. "I definitely worry that several things haven't been contemplated, and I understand that it's outside our control, but I have had many students reach out to me to try and better understand the changes that are coming and some teachers too."

"I think that our policy in its prior incarnation was better than what the interpretation is that the state is forcing upon us," said Vice Chair Anne Donohue.

Donohue ultimately voted against the new policy, Mansfield and Chandler abstained, and the remaining school board members voted for it.

The school system has created a web page on the new personal device policy with information for families.

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