Oakton High School students walking to class Monday, Aug. 24, had no crossing guard waiting for them. The position was eliminated over the summer as part of a $1.89 million county budget cut that removed guards from nine Fairfax County high schools.

The change took effect as Fairfax County Public Schools opened the 2026-27 school year with a slate of new policies, headlined by a bell-to-bell cellphone ban for all students K-12.

No more guards at Oakton

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on May 5, cutting crossing guards at all public high schools. The move eliminated 13 full-time positions from the Fairfax County Police Department's budget.

Besides Oakton, the affected schools are Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, Edison, South County, South Lakes, West Potomac and West Springfield. Hayfield, Lake Braddock and Robinson secondary schools still have coverage.

FCPS confirmed the Oakton cut in an Aug. 21 newsletter to families, urging extra caution when traveling to and from school and asking drivers to remain alert to pedestrians and other vehicles.

The county is also shifting to contractors instead of uniformed police officers to fill crossing guard vacancies at elementary and middle schools. According to FFXnow, the changes have raised public safety concerns and contributed to tensions between the Board of Supervisors and some school board members.

Speed cameras in school zones resumed operations at 20 locations for the new year, but no new camera sites are being added at the start of this term. Ten additional locations are listed as "in progress" with no announced timeline. No Board of Supervisors review or follow-up action on the crossing guard cuts has been scheduled.

Cellphone ban now covers the full day

The other major change taking effect Monday: students can no longer pull out a phone at lunch.

Last year, high schoolers could still use cellphones during their lunch period. That exception is gone. All devices, including smartwatches, wireless earbuds and smart glasses, must be turned off and stored from bell to bell.

The Fairfax County School Board adopted the blanket ban on May 7 after the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation this spring requiring all K-12 schools to prohibit cellphone use during the school day. The policy took effect July 1. Exceptions remain for students with an Individualized Education Plan, a Limited English Proficiency plan or documented health needs.

FCPS asked parents to contact the school's main office rather than texting or calling students directly during the day.

Football screening, mental health expansion

Two other changes affect Vienna-area families heading into fall:

OpenGate weapons detectors, already in use at all FCPS high and middle schools, will now screen spectators at varsity football games. A new clear-bag policy limits attendees to clear plastic bags no larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches, small clutches no larger than 4.5-by-6.5 inches, and medical or diaper bags subject to inspection. Backpacks, purses, fanny packs and tote bags are prohibited.

FCPS also expanded its partnership with virtual mental health provider Hazel Health on July 1, making free teletherapy sessions available to middle school students. The program previously served only high schoolers.

Superintendent Michelle Reid noted at an Aug. 18 work session that a separate policy barring laptops and tablets at the preschool and kindergarten level might create challenges meeting state requirements for reading support services.