LCPS Policy 8655

Loudoun County Public Schools
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LCPS Policy 8655 is a policy created by the Loudoun County School Board restricting student personal technology usage. This policy, in its original form, was passed on June 25, 2024. Following Virginia's passage of Virginia Code § 22.1-79.3:1 in April 2025, which restricts student use of personal technology in all grades during the school day, the School Board passed an updated and more restrictive version of Policy 8655 on December 16, 2025. The updated version of this policy was implemented in all Loudoun County Public Schools on January 5, 2026. LCPS has accepted feedback throughout the policy's implementation, and some members of the School Board are considering further changes.

Provisions

Under the updated December 2025 version of LCPS Policy 8655, all students are not permitted to use personal devices from bell-to-bell, unless they have a documented Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, individualized healthcare plan, or Limited English Proficiency Plan. As a result, most students are limited to only LCPS-provided technology during the school day while on school property.

History

Original Policy (circa June 2024)

The previous (original) version of LCPS Policy 8655 was comparatively less restrictive for high school students. While high school students had to keep their personal devices in a designated classroom storage location during classes, they were allowed to use their devices in between class periods and during lunch with staff permission.

School board member Anne Donohue made a last-minute amendment to the original policy, removing the option for phones to be stowed away in backpacks as long as they were on silent mode as an alternative to them being in a designated classroom storage location.

Updated Policy (circa December 2025)

Following Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin passing Virginia Code § 22.1-79.3:1 in April 2025, which made personal device usage at all grade levels illegal from bell-to-bell, the LCPS school board began updating their own policy to reflect the state law. There was extensive discussion among the School Board about their update to the policy. Some expressed it was too restrictive, though full conformance with state law was required. On December 16, 2025, the School Board voted 6-1 to approve the updated provisions to the policy, with two abstentions, and the policy took effect on January 5, 2026. The following table shows how each board member voted on the updated policy.

Policy 8655 Updated Provisions Vote
School Board Member District In Favor Opposed Abstained
Anne Donohue At-Large ✔
April Chandler Algonkian ✔
Deana Griffiths Ashburn ✔
Dr. Linda Deans Broad Run ✔
Kari LaBell Catoctin ✔
Melinda Mansfield Dulles ✔
Lauren Shernoff Leesburg ✔
Dr. Sumera Rashid Little River ✔
Arben Istrefi Sterling ✔

Some members of the School Board have pushed back against the policy. As of June 2026, LCPS has responded to feedback regarding the policy and is considering updating it for clarity due to inconsistencies in its implementation. Students have expressed difficulties in their classes as a result of the policy. Some believe it will encourage student engagement with peers and instruction, while others believe devices should be allowed outside instructional time and are concerned for situations where personal devices can be used educationally. Some parents and teachers have raised frustrations with contacting students during the school day and enforcing the policy.

References

  1. ↑ "BoardDocs® Policy: 8655 Student Personal Device Use". go.boarddocs.com. Archived from the original on 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  2. ↑ "Policy 8655: Student Personal Device Use". www.lcps.org. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  3. 1 2 Goodenow, Evan (2025-12-17). "Updated LCPS student phone/personal devices policy approved". Loudoun Times.
  4. ↑ "Your Feedback on Cell Phone and Personal Device Use in Schools". LCPS. 2025-09-02. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  5. 1 2 Lewis, Patrick (2026-06-02). "Shernoff, Spence Ask School Board to Tweak Student Phone Policy". LoudounNow.com. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  6. ↑ Fox, Sierra (2024-06-26). "Loudoun County implements strict cell phone policy for students". FOX 5 DC. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  7. ↑ Augenstein, Neal (2024-06-26). "Loudoun Co. school board passes tighter student cellphone policy, set to start this fall". WTOP News. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  8. ↑ Torres, Matthew (2025-11-24). "LCPS considers bell-to-bell ban on student cell phones, other devices". WUSA9.
  9. 1 2 Lewis, Patrick (2025-12-17). "School Phone, Personal Device Ban Approved by Loudoun School Board". LoudounNow.com. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  10. ↑ "School Board Information". www.lcps.org. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  11. ↑ Baloum, Ayan; Panthangi, Sunny (2026-02-06). "Students are Struggling to Navigate their Classes After the New Personal Device Policy". [Uncaged.] Retrieved 2026-06-11.
  12. ↑ Olatubosun, Simone (2026-06-18). "Cellphone Ban Frustrates Parents, Students, Teachers at This Va. High School". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2026-09-07.