Fairfax County Public Schools defends new cell phone policy as some question whether it complies with law
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. () — Virginia's largest school district has a new cell phone policy that is getting some pushback.
The new rules that Fairfax County Public Schools adopted are more lenient than other school districts — they allow high school students to use their phones at lunch during the 2025-26 school year.
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While the school district is defending both the effects and legality of its new policy, some argue that it may violate a new law.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Bell to Bell law. The law states that should be no phone usage from 'bell to bell,' as in 'after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal [bell] rings at the end of the school day.' It also includes 'lunch and time in between class periods.'
However, FCPS told DC News Now that its policy meets the requirements of the law.
'[The policy] is fully compliant with the new Virginia Code section because it restricts and regulates student cell phone use in an age-appropriate way,' FCPS stated.
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'Our existing policy is the best approach to give our high school students the chance to learn how to appropriately navigate the use of technology, which will likely be an important aspect of their lives moving forward,' School Board Vice-Chair Sandy Anderson said at a meeting last month.
Three school board members attempted to pass an amendment restricting the use of phones for the entire school day, but it failed.
'I also have a teenager I would love for him to use his cell phone in the lunchroom because I think that's a space that's a little bit less restrictive, but it is not the law,' said School Board Member Ricardy Anderson, who backed the amendment.
A spokesperson for Youngkin told DC News Now that the new restriction is the 'law of the land.'
'Any school division that does not currently have a Bell-to-Bell cell phone restriction policy will have to update their policy,' the spokesperson said.
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The governor's office also shared a statement with DC News Now from Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, in which she criticized the district's decision.
'It's a shame Fairfax continues to deny the well-established fact that a bell-to-bell cellphone-free education is more beneficial for students and is choosing instead to be an outlier among the overwhelming number of school districts that have gone bell to bell in Virginia,' the statement read in part.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Fairfax County Public Schools defends new cell phone policy as some question whether it complies with law
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. () — Virginia's largest school district has a new cell phone policy that is getting some pushback. The new rules that Fairfax County Public Schools adopted are more lenient than other school districts — they allow high school students to use their phones at lunch during the 2025-26 school year. Why strawberry season is coming to an early end in Northern Virginia While the school district is defending both the effects and legality of its new policy, some argue that it may violate a new law. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the Bell to Bell law. The law states that should be no phone usage from 'bell to bell,' as in 'after the first bell rings at the start of the school day to begin instructional time until the dismissal [bell] rings at the end of the school day.' It also includes 'lunch and time in between class periods.' However, FCPS told DC News Now that its policy meets the requirements of the law. '[The policy] is fully compliant with the new Virginia Code section because it restricts and regulates student cell phone use in an age-appropriate way,' FCPS stated. First-ever Capital Cup in DMV celebrates LGBTQ+ sports community 'Our existing policy is the best approach to give our high school students the chance to learn how to appropriately navigate the use of technology, which will likely be an important aspect of their lives moving forward,' School Board Vice-Chair Sandy Anderson said at a meeting last month. Three school board members attempted to pass an amendment restricting the use of phones for the entire school day, but it failed. 'I also have a teenager I would love for him to use his cell phone in the lunchroom because I think that's a space that's a little bit less restrictive, but it is not the law,' said School Board Member Ricardy Anderson, who backed the amendment. A spokesperson for Youngkin told DC News Now that the new restriction is the 'law of the land.' 'Any school division that does not currently have a Bell-to-Bell cell phone restriction policy will have to update their policy,' the spokesperson said. New survey shows Northern Virginia business leaders pessimistic about region's economy The governor's office also shared a statement with DC News Now from Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, in which she criticized the district's decision. 'It's a shame Fairfax continues to deny the well-established fact that a bell-to-bell cellphone-free education is more beneficial for students and is choosing instead to be an outlier among the overwhelming number of school districts that have gone bell to bell in Virginia,' the statement read in part. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
