Georgia school shooting reignites debate over cell phones in Virginia schools

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — After two students and two teachers were shot and killed at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Wednesday, parents and lawmakers in Virginia have are bringing the debate over cell phones in schools back to the forefront.

On Wednesday Sept. 5, Del. Holly Seibold (D-Fairfax County) renewed the topic on social media voicing her opinion after a 14-year-old student used an assault-style rifle to kill two students and two teachers in the hallway outside his algebra classroom, according to authorities.

“With @GovernorVA cell phone ban in schools, my daughter told me she needed to keep hers w/ her at all times so she can text me she loved me if/when a shooter enters her classroom,” said Seibold in the post. “Ironically, Youngkin vetoed gun bills, but banned phones. We don’t have to live like this. #ENOUGH”

On Tuesday, July 9, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered the Virginia Department of Education to draft framework limiting or banning cellphones in classrooms across all of the Commonwealth’s school districts.

8News spoke with Nicole Monday, a parent in Chesterfield County who said new restrictions for cell phones would be a welcome sight, but knowing her child is safe at school gives her peace of mind.

“I would think that kids are going to be nervous and scared not knowing what’s going on,” Monday said. “I would hope, if law enforcement came in, they would react, they would listen. But also being able to text your parents may give you a little bit of comfort.”

In January, Richmond City Public Schools (RPS) launched a yearlong pilot of phone-free policies at three middle schools and three high schools. Students at participating schools were asked to place their phones in a magnetically sealed pouch.

Richmond parent Shannon Heady said she’s still in full support of the ban and thinks school safety should be the number one priority, not peace of mind.

“It might make me feel better, but that’s not keeping my child safer,” Heady said. “If everybody’s distracted panicking with their phones, maybe they’re not listening to the security officer.”

Heady said common sense gun laws are what schools need to protect students.

“Most gun owners want common sense gun legislation,” Heady said. “It is an absolute horror that we have legislators that are not passing this and that are beholden to the National Rifle Association. It is unacceptable.”

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