Ridgway schools are now cellphone free.
The Ridgway School District, like many school districts in the state, including Ouray, is restricting students from using cellphones during school hours starting with the coming school year. However, Ridgway’s policy is stricter than Ouray’s.
The Ridgway school board on July 30 voted unanimously to approve the district’s student handbook, which includes a “cellphone free environment” policy.
According to the student handbook, “Students may not use or have cellphones, earbuds or smartwatches out or visible at any time during the academic day, which includes passing periods, lunch, advisory, online periods, study hall, restroom passes, field trips and assemblies. This rule applies from the moment students enter the building, even if they arrive early, and continues until classes end.”
The policy says exceptions will be made for documented accommodations in a formal education plan or for medical monitoring with proper medical authorization.
The new policy is prompted by a new state law requiring all school districts to adopt a cellphone policy limiting use by July 2026.
“Hopefully everyone has had enough time with eyes on it,” Superintendent Susan Lacy told the board. “This is something we will post around. In the meantime, I’ve probably had 10 different people in all kinds of places — even some students — say it’s a good decision … and the right thing to do.”
In comparison, the Ouray School District’s rules prohibit cellphones during class time unless a teacher specifically approves it for instructional reasons. The policy discourages but doesn’t ban cellphone use during passing periods. Students may use their cellphones during lunch.
Ridgway board members did not discuss the policy before approving it on second reading.
However, an addendum in the student handbook said the cellphone-free policy was enacted to create a safe, inclusive and focused learning environment, increase student engagement and foster a vibrant school community.
The addendum noted some students are distracted by texts and social media, and according to research, it takes students 20 minutes to refocus after a phone notification.
Ridgway Secondary School will provide phone lockers at the school entrance to keep student cellphones secure throughout the academic day, according to the handbook.
In addition, the addendum says teachers and staff will not use cellphones while teaching and in public areas of the school, though they must keep their cellphones with them as part of the district’s Emergency Text System. However, teachers should model cellphone- free behavior.
If parents need to communicate with their students during the day, they may call the school office, email students or email the office.
Students who violate the policy will have their cellphones confiscated for the remainder of the day. After a second offense, parents will be notified to pick up the phone at the end of the school day. The third offense will result in disciplinary measures.
Deb Hurley-Brobst is a longtime, award-winning journalist. Email her at deb.hurley.brobst@gmail.com.
