Ridgefield School Board Moves Toward Stricter High School Cellphone Limits, Hears Calls for Stronger Security

RIDGEFIELD, CT —Parents packed the Ridgefield Board of Education’s Sept. 29 meeting to urge officials to adopt a stricter “phone-free” policy at Ridgefield High School and to expand school safety measures, while the board voted to direct its policy committee to draft tighter rules on personal electronic devices.

The meeting, which stretched late into the evening, featured extensive public comment on two emotional topics—student mental health and school security—before administrators delivered a detailed presentation on current phone practices and potential policy changes.

Parents Cite Mental Health, Focus Concerns

Several parents and mental-health professionals called smartphone use an addiction that undermines students’ concentration and emotional well-being.

Child psychologist Jackie Britt-Friedman said many teachers privately support removing phones from the school day but fear speaking out publicly. "We’re all on the same team here," she told the board. "There’s got to be a way to protect kids from the harms of smartphone use during school hours and ensure Ridgefield is staying true to its mission to foster academic, social and emotional growth for all students, and promote wellness of body and mind."

Other parents described devices as socially isolating. Kelsey Rollinson argued that most families never had a say when phones entered schools: "We cannot recreate the dynamics and energy of a lunch room at home."

Related: Ridgefield Parents Push For Bell-to-Bell Cellphone Ban At Schools

Supporters of a “bell-to-bell” phone ban said Ridgefield should follow nearby districts such as Wilton and Darien, which use Yondr pouches to lock phones away for the entire day.

Safety Advocates Seek Armed Officers, Ballistic Glass

A separate group, Ridgefield Residents for Safer Schools, pressed for a full-time school resource officer at every campus and ballistic-resistant glass at entrances. Members Loren Clarke and Dana Neiman said other Fairfield County districts have already acted. "Violence in school is not hypothetical," Clarke said. "It is real, it is rising, and when tragedy strikes, there are no second chances to get it right."

Board, Administrators Outline Policy Paths

Superintendent Susie Da Silva, Ridgefield High School Principal Jacob Greenwood, and members of the RHS leadership team reviewed current procedures. Students must place phones in classroom “phone hotels” during instruction and use district-issued Chromebooks with monitoring software instead of personal devices.

The team outlined three options: maintaining the current system, expanding restrictions through grade- or location-based limits, or forming a stakeholder committee—including students—to recommend a long-term position.

Related: Ridgefield Board Of Education Reviews Phone Policy Concerns

Board members praised the presentation but debated whether to act immediately. After extensive discussion, the board voted to have its Policy Committee draft revisions to "further restrict access" to personal electronic devices in grades 9–12. The measure passed with two dissenting votes.

Facilities, Enrollment Updates

Later in the meeting, Facilities Director Joe Moritz reported 58 of 65 summer construction projects completed, including new lighting at Ridgefield High and roof replacements at multiple schools. Work on the district’s new alternative high school at Prospect Ridge continues into the fall.

Next Steps

The Policy Committee will develop proposed language for the revised cellphone policy, expected for board review this fall. Administrators said any change would include outreach to parents, students, and staff to ensure a smooth transition.

As Board Chair Tina Malhotra told the audience, "We hear you. Your voices help shape our decisions moving forward."