Important Notice Regarding Student Cell Phones

In July, Governor Youngkin issued Executive Order #33 directed the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to provide guidance to school divisions to establish a cell phone-free education to promote the health and safety of Virginia’s K-12 students. Read the full executive order.

Current Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) policy, included in the Student Code of Conduct, prohibits the use by students of personal electronic devices during the academic day but allows principals to allow or restrict the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices. 

The VDOE plans to share draft cell-phone free policy guidance to school divisions on August 15, 2024. It is important to note that once a new policy is approved by the Spotsylvania County School Board, it may be necessary to modify the expectations. As required by the Governor’s Executive Order #33, each school division’s cell phone-free policy will take effect January 1, 2025.

For more information about this State mandate, please visit https://www.doe.virginia.gov/Cell-phone-free-education