Henrico School Board expected to vote on phone use, homework policy regulations
At their 6:30 p.m. monthly meeting Thursday, Henrico School Board members are scheduled to vote to adopt stricter regulations on student cell phone use and new limits about how much homework can be assigned.
The 2026-2027 Code of Student Conduct, which is up for a vote Thursday, would officially prohibit students from using their phones during lunch and in-between classes. Students would need to store their phones and other devices – such as smart watches, tablets, earbuds and headphones – in their backpacks.
The board also is scheduled to vote on new homework policies that would limit the amount of homework given to kindergarteners to no more than 20 minutes per day and the amount given to middle-schoolers to no more than 20 minutes per content area after each class. Homework also would count as 15% or less of students’ final grades in middle and high schools and would not be graded in elementary schools.
Changes to make-up work policies also would give students with either excused or unexcused absences the opportunity to receive full credit for missed work if that work is completed within a set timeframe.
The board also is expected to vote on a number of other policy changes that would:
• require Henrico Schools to provide teachers with a written explanation and a school board hearing if placed on suspension;
• allow employees to be put on paid administrative leave;
• require teachers to give written notice of noncontinuation of contracts by June 15 each year;
• and require HCPS to send an annual parent notification regarding the safe storage of firearms and prescription drugs in the home.
In addition, the school board is set to accept about $15.5 million in federal grant funding for the 2026-2027 school year – about $1 million less than last school year. The majority of the funding ($12 million) would go towards Title I resources for low-income students; HCPS has a total of 22 Title I schools.
Other funding would go towards strengthening instruction, English Language Learner programs, and resources for students experiencing homelessness.
At its 3:15 p.m. work session on Thursday, the school board will hear presentations from the Department of Operations, the Career and Technical Education Business Advisory Committee, and the School Health Advisory Board.
Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
