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Current Issues

• Technology Use in School

• Superintendent Search Process

The FCCPS School community has been actively engaged in a discussion about the appropriate use of both personal and school-provided technology. With technology's rapid advancement, examining how we can best leverage these tools to enhance student learning and support our teachers is essential.

Why is this an issue? Significant research has focused on student engagement/well-being/achievement and technology use in schools. The FCCPS School Board, along with the FCCPS staff and leadership, wants to ensure we are modeling our instructional practices and our school environments to stay current with the research. 

What is being explored? Three technology-related topics are being discussed (with links to the board discussions):

• the allowance of personal devices (smartphones, earbuds, tablets, smartwatches. etc.),

• the safety and protection of school-provided devices, and

• the instructional use of school-provided devices

  • FCCPS Technology in Schools: Questions and Answers from the Work Session

Where is this happening? Given the wide use of technology within FCCPS, this is being discussed at all levels of schools, from JTP to MHS.  Students with respect to personal devices, from JTP to Mary Ellen Henderson, adhere to an “off and away, throughout the day” approach. This is a school-based decision by our principals and school leaders. Students must turn off their devices and leave them in their bags, locker, or home. Regarding Meridian High School, students may not have personal devices during instructional time, but they are allowed to use devices between classes, during lunch, and in Mustang Block. 

The FCCPS School Board is reviewing this policy based on recent VDOE state guidance, and whether a bell-to-bell (all-day) restriction would be necessary. 

When are the key dates? At each of the previous work sessions, the school board has engaged in topics related to technology. Please review the discussions on BoardDocs or our Agendas page. 

With respect to the personal device issue at the high school, the school board is hosting various town halls with students, parents, teachers, and staff to gauge community feedback, with a policy decision on the results by January. No changes to school processes would happen until the 2025-2026 school year. 

Town Hall dates and times are listed below:

• MHS Students: Oct 18, at MHS

• Spanish-speaking Parents and Community Members: Oct 27 at Berman Park

• FCCPS staff: Nov 6, at MHS

• Parents and Community Members: Nov 13, at MHS

If you cannot attend any of the town halls, please contact any school board member to share your thoughts.