Teachers, students and parents press Archuleta school board for a districtwide cell‑phone policy

Dozens of public commenters told the Archuleta County School District No. 50 Jt board on Monday that a consistent, districtwide cell‑phone policy would improve classroom focus and student relationships.

Several teachers described classroom incidents and argued that consistent rules — not teacher‑by‑teacher discretion — would reduce distractions and harmful content. Darcy, a classroom teacher, said the district should lead on the issue and urged the board to consider a uniform policy. Alissa, a special‑education teacher at the high school, offered a concrete proposal: “maybe we could just have you know like the first 45…it is District policy — the first 45 minutes of high school classes no cell phones,” with the latter half of classes at teacher discretion.

Middle‑school staff also testified that their current no‑phone policy has reduced distractions and cyberbullying and improved social interaction. Amy Owen, who said she works at the middle school, told the board the policy has “created a more conducive learning environment for many students.” Several public speakers and board members reported that a recent student visit found broad student support for consistent rules across classrooms.

Board members did not adopt a policy at the meeting but acknowledged the public testimony and said staff are compiling input from teachers, students and a forthcoming planning advisory team. Board discussion referenced an in‑progress leadership book study (Anxious Generation) that district leaders are using to inform thinking about social media and students’ mental health.

The next steps identified on the record include continuing the conversation with school leaders, reviewing student‑visit feedback and returning the issue to a future board agenda for formal consideration.