Policy Review Committee Meeting, May 14, 2026

The Virginia Beach Schools Policy Review Committee convened a special meeting on May 14, 2026, primarily to discuss amendments to Policy 618 concerning instructional time and technology use for students. Key procurement-related discussions focused on limiting Chromebook and similar device usage for students in pre-kindergarten through first grade starting in the 2026-27 school year, except for limited educational assessments and adaptive learning needs. The committee reviewed the impact of these changes on instructional resources, including the need to purchase alternative high-quality print and supplemental materials to replace digital programs like Lexia Core 5 for early grades. Budget considerations were highlighted as critical for acquiring these new resources, with plans to present detailed information to the full school board. The committee also clarified policy language regarding device use during severe weather or emergency closures and directed the superintendent to provide annual reports on student screen time. The committee voted to forward the amended policy section to the full school board for informational purposes at the next meeting.