WJCC School Board discusses cell phone-free education at Tuesday meeting

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The Williamsburg James City County (WJCC) School Board held a meeting Aug. 20 discussing two major topics before the school year begins: the division's cell phone policy and the possibility of collective bargaining for teachers. 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 earlier this summer, aiming to tackle cellphone use in public schools. Under the executive order, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has been directed to draft guidance for school divisions to establish cell phone-free education. 

RELATED: Virginia Education Department shares draft of cell phone-free education guidelines

The draft guidance defines cell phone-free education as “bell-to-bell," meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first bell at the start of the school day until the dismissal bell rings at the end of the school day. “Bell-to-bell” includes lunch and time in between class periods.  

In Tuesday's meeting, board members reviewed with attendees what the punishments would be for students who are caught with their phone powered on and out in the middle of the school day. The discipline for phone use is as follows:

• First offense — student referral, parent/guardian contacted, phone is confiscated and returned at end of day.
• Second offense – all of the above, plus a parent must come pick up the device.
• Third offense – all of the above, in addition to a parent meeting, and the student must begin turning in their device at beginning of day, every single day.
• Fourth offense – the student is no longer allowed to have their phone for the remainder of the semester.

The vote among board members was unanimous to enact the new policy, though board members recognized that initiating this police may be difficult at first. 

Collective bargaining was also discussed at the meeting. Marco Sardi, James Blair Middle School teacher and President of the Williamsburg James City Education association was the first to speak on the topic.  

Several teachers attended the meeting in red shirts reading "no decisions about us without us" and holding signs that read "WJCC needs collective bargaining now!" and "WJCC educators need a seat at the table."

People both for and against collective bargaining for educators shared their thoughts on the matter during the public comment section. No final decision was made on the matter.