HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The Harrisonburg City School Board voted unanimously last night to approve – on first reading – a policy that would restrict cell phone and electronics use for all grade levels in the division.

The action extends HCPS’ “off and away” policy for the city’s elementary and middle schools to the high schools as well.

Board member Kristen Loflin said having a universal policy in place would ease the burden on teachers.

“The way our regulation currently reads, it’s up to the teacher if the students can use it and it makes it really hard if you’re a teacher not wanting those cell phones out,” Loflin said. “And yet a teacher down the hallway may not actually let them out, but the kids are saying ‘oh, but Ms. So-and-So until it allows us, why aren’t you letting us?’ It just makes it really hard for the teachers.”

Superintendent Dr. Michael Richards said he preferred to get the policy in place and work through it with staff before the school year begins.

New leaders, and a new high school

New Harrisonburg City Public School leaders, including the administrative team for Rocktown High School, were announced at last night’s school board meeting.

Longtime HCPS educators Ryan Henschel, Durmount Perry, Ron Perry and Kelly Troxell were introduced as RHS’s assistant principals.

Rocktown’s inaugural principal, Tamara Mines, told the board that her team has spent the summer working hard to transition all grade levels to the new high school.

“We had an amazing 9th grade transition today, we had the seniors over and tomorrow and we’ll have the 10th and 11th grade over to be a part of the community and build on belong, believe and achieve, which are our three pillar words, and just about building community at Rocktown,” Mines said. “This could not be done without my team, I have the privilege of serving with them, and we’re going to have a great year.”

Other HCPS leaders announced on Tuesday include:

  • Daniel Kirwan – Executive Director of Finance
  • Jessica Martin – Assistant Director of Finance
  • Amanda Wolcott – Assistant Director, Elon Rhodes Early Learning Center
  • Michael King – Health, Physical Education and Healthy Life Skills Coordinator
  • Jessica Mendez-Thompson – Assistant Principal, Thomas Harrison Middle School
  • Krista Smiley – Dean of Students, Skyline Middle School