Students have more access to cell phones on the high school level during the school day now.

At the two high schools Lord Botetourt and James River, the school division policy toward cell phones in school relaxed on Feb 13, 2013 due to a new pilot program. While the students cannot bring out the phone during class time unless the teacher uses them for instruction, they can use them other times during the school day.

Students were happy at Lord Botetourt High School. Senior J.R. Hall sat on a bench in the school foyer playing a racing game on his iPhone during lunch. “ Mrs. Womack ( the principal) announced the new policy this morning,” he said. Other times during the day the students can use their phones are before school, during lunch and between classes.

Over at James River High School, Principal Jamie Talbott said, “It has been a positive change today.” River students are embracing the cell phone change as well.