FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (7News) -- More than 24,000 students and over 1,800 teachers are returning to the classroom in Spotsylvania County on Tuesday, and the new school year is coming with several new policies.
The two major changes for Spotsylvania County Public Schools involve cell phones and speeding enforcement.
District leaders are reminding students that personal electronic devices are prohibited during the academic day, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets and all other electronic devices.
The devices must be turned off and put away for the entire school day. If students do not comply, school staff could take those items away and return them to the student's parent.
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Exceptions will be made for students who need a cell phone for medical reasons or in an emergency.
7News asked Superintendent Dr. Clinton Mitchell about another change for the 2025-26 school year -- a coordinated effort between the county and the school district aimed at reducing speeding near schools.
The automated speed enforcement program in school zones was implemented after studies showed that dangerous driving often happens during school hours.
"We have a pilot program this year that covers about four schools and what it entails is that it's a way to really remind our citizens that when we have a school in session and our buses on the road, that they need to make sure they're obeying the law by stopping when our school buses stop to pick up children," said Dr. Mitchell
The 30-day warning period starts today, Aug. 12. Citations will start being issued on Sept. 11with a $50 fine for the first violation and a $100 fine for repeat violations.
Dr. Mitchell told 7News his school district also faces staffing challenges. As of the week of Aug. 3, there were 85 full-time vacant teaching positions, which Mitchell described as "a 40 to 50% improvement" over the previous school year.
To offset the shortage of teachers, Spotsylvania County Public Schools has hired 27 international teachers to work in classrooms this school year -- many of those teachers are from the Philippines and Jamaica.
The school system has also implemented a new progressive discipline policy for employees. The first step for a minor offense is an oral reprimand and an email.
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Additional violations could lead to suspension, demotion or ultimately termination.
Dr. Mitchell told us he introduced the proposal two months ago, and the school board approved it in July.
"I wanted to make sure under my leadership, we are very clear and succinct about expectations. It was not one event that led to this policy. It was a fundamental philosophy that I have as a leader to make things very clear for my staff and my administration," he stated. That new policy is now in the implementation phase and Dr. Mitchell expects training to begin for principals in September.
The superintendent, who is in his second year on the job, also told 7News the school district is implementing a new Generative AI Literacy Plan for kindergarten through twelfth-grade students.