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Mason District Community,
The Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) is the document that outlines student behavior expectations and identifies the consequences when violations occur.
The SY 2025-2026 SR&R will be presented for a School Board vote at the May 8, 2025 regular meeting. A redlined version of the proposed changes is available for review.
It is crucial for parents/caregivers and students to be familiar with the content of the SR&R. Some of the proposed changes to the SY 2025-2026 SR&R include:
“When issuing a disciplinary response for any act for which a student can be disciplined listed in Chapter II, the referring administrator shall enter the disciplinary incident into the Student Information System (SIS) and shall notify the parent by phone, text, or email within 24 hours of the occurring incident barring extenuating circumstances and in accordance with guidance through the Office of the Chief Equity Officer.”
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* Group assault and battery
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Weapons: pages 31, 54-55. Three sections should be reviewed carefully:
* Blades less than 3 inches
* Possession or Use of Statutory Weapon
"Possession or use of a statutory weapon (as defined below) on school property or at a school-sponsored activity shall require a suspension for up to ten days, unless the referring administrator determines the student’s age, background, intent, previous infractions, disability status, and/or other circumstances should not warrant a suspension, and shall result in a referral to the Division Superintendent who will consider a recommendation for expulsion for a period of not less than one year. The principal shall make a referral to the school-based Risk Prevention Team to determine appropriateness for further risk assessment in accordance with Regulation 2111 and other appropriate intervention as designated by the referring administrator." (page 54, section a.1)
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* Possession or Use of Switchblades, Machetes, and Certain Other Knives
"The following violations shall result in a referral to the Division Superintendent and the principal shall suspend for up to ten days, unless the referring administrator determines the student’s age, background, intent, previous infractions, disability status, and/or other circumstances should not warrant a suspension. The principal shall make a referral to the school-based Risk Prevention Team to determine appropriateness for further risk assessment in accordance with Regulation 2111 and any other appropriate intervention as designated by the referring administrator." (page 55, section b)
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New Virginia law states:
"Each school board shall develop and each public elementary and secondary school shall implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate policies relating to student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell. Such policies shall: 1. Except as provided in subdivision 4, restrict student cell phone and smart device possession and use on school property from bell to bell;"
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The law defines "bell to bell" here:
"Bell to bell" means 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. "Bell to bell" includes lunch and time in between class periods."
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The proposed SR&R language allows for high school students to use cell phones and devices during passing periods and lunch:
"Cell phone use is restricted, and cell phones may only be used on campus before the first bell, after the last bell, during passing periods, and lunches."
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While I am not personally opposed to student use of cell phones/devices during the lunch period, I believe the allowance included in the proposed SR&R is inconsistent with the current law which specifically states “bell to bell.”
The interpretation of the law regarding cell phone usage in schools had been a point of significant debate during the Board’s Work Session on the SR&R on April 8, 2025. Due to this continued dissonance, I have consulted multiple times with State Senator Pekarsky, one of the authors of the original bill, to confirm my understanding.
Last week, Senators Pekarsky and Surovell sent a letter to Dr. Reid and the School Board to clarify the Virginia law regarding cell phone use in schools. Please take a moment to read their letter which states the following:
"The VA law that was passed last month unanimously requires that during “bell to bell,” from the start to the end of regular school hours, students are prohibited from the use of their cellphones on school grounds. The intention of lawmakers in passing this law was to clarify that during class, lunch, and between classes, students are NOT permitted to use their cellphones at any time."
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Given the confirmation provided in the letter penned by Senators Pekarsky and Surovell, I will not be voting in support of the SR&R as proposed as I do not believe the language aligns with current state law.
I value the input I receive from the Mason Community and am happy to address questions or concerns via email or phone. You can reach me by email at rjanderson@fcps.edu. If you are interested in scheduling a phone call, please reach out to my assistant, Cristy Coffey, at cmcoffey@fcps.edu to arrange a time.
Note: This newsletter contains links to translated versions of the content for your convenience. These translations are generated by Google Translate and are not intended to be a substitute for professional translation services.
The views contained within this newsletter reflect the views of the individual school board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Fairfax County School Board.
© Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County, Virginia
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