By Shannon Lukens.  File photo.

A stricter cell phone policy is in effect in the Moffat County School District, as adopted by the Board of Education in December.

Moffat County High School students can only use cell phones at lunch and during passing periods. They cannot use their cell phones during classes at all unless specifically directed by the classroom teacher for instructional purposes.

Craig Middle School students will continue following that school’s previous rule of no phones during school except at lunch.

Elementary students are required to keep any phones they may have stowed and out of sight throughout the day.

The Moffat County School Board says they’ll re-examine the policy in the spring.

The action follows a state statute requiring the adoption of a policy limiting cell phone use.

 

 

Press release from Moffat County School District; Jan. 9, 2026.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Moffat County School District Board of Education implements new cell phone policy for students

 

CRAIG, Colorado — Moffat County School District is implementing stricter rules around cell phone use in schools after a Board of Education policy was adopted at the December board meeting.

 

The policy, which updates and expands the requirements of a previous Board policy, mandates that cell phones at the secondary level only be accessed by students under certain limited circumstances.

 

Moffat County High School students will still be allowed to use cell phones at lunch and during passing periods, but will not be permitted to use them during classes at all unless specifically directed by the classroom teacher for instructional purposes. Craig Middle School students will continue following that school’s previous rule of no phones during school except at lunch, now supported fully by board policy. Elementary students are required to keep any phones they may have stowed and out of sight throughout the day.

 

The Board emphasized during their meeting a desire to re-examine this policy in the spring following a period of testing, indicating some concern that the restrictions were not strict enough. Consideration was given to the possibility of disallowing cell phone use at the high school between classes and at lunch as well, as well as discontinuing use at lunch at Craig Middle School. These discussions will be reconsidered in the spring and may lead to the adoption of an amended policy.

 

This action follows a state statute requiring the adoption of a policy limiting cell phone use, but it also expands upon existing policy and other previously unformalized rules within schools. MCSD has long been thoughtful about the impact of cell phones on the learning environment, but this policy is a substantive next step in the evolution of the district’s approach to this ongoing challenge. The district takes seriously its opportunity and responsibility in regard to creating positive learning environments for students, and in modeling appropriate and productive relationships with technology and positive digital citizenship. This action represents a piece of that effort.