• Ordinance 2024/25-78

    Section 9-11.6. General Statement of Policy; Superintendent to develop regulations; notice requirement. — A.  Excessive smartphone use among youth is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem. Common Sense Media found that 97% of students use their phones during the school day for a median of 43 minutes. Combined with the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning about the risks of social media, it is urgent to provide reasonable guardrails for smartphone use in schools. It is the stated policy of the School Board to limit the use of cell phones and other portable communication devices in Suffolk Public Schools consistent with Executive Order 33 by the creation of a cell phone-free education environment.  

    B.  The school superintendent is hereby directed to adopt regulations governing use of cell phones and all other portable communication devices in Suffolk Public Schools. Regulations of the school superintendent must be consistent with but can be more comprehensive than guidance provided by the Virginia Department of Education.  

    C.  The school superintendent is required to ensure adequate notice is provided to all students enrolled in Suffolk Public Schools, their parents and guardians and the general public of regulations promulgated by the school superintendent and/or guidelines developed by individual schools governing use of cell phones and other portable communication devices in Suffolk Public Schools. (Adopted August 8, 2002; Ordinance Number 02/03-01; Effective: August 8, 2002; Revised June 9, 2016; Ordinance Number 15/16-96; Effective Date: July 1, 2016; Revised/Effective Date: June 9, 2022; Ordinance 20/21-41)

    Legal Authority — Virginia Code Section 22.1-78, Executive Order 33, Guidance for Cell PhoneFree Education Pursuant to Executive Order 33 (September 16, 2024). 

    Note: At the School Board Meeting on Thursday, December 12, Board approved the Original motion 'The Suffolk City School Board move to approve motion with the understanding to send the policy back to the Policy Review Committee at it's first available meeting in 2025 to add language more specific to Board governance terms.'