Parent Ally Roten addresses Midway School Board on iPad use concerns in kindergarten

The Midway Independent School District (ISD) held its May Board Meeting on May 22, 2025, focusing on various topics related to student behavior, technology use, and parental concerns. The meeting began with discussions on the implementation of vape sensors in high schools, which have reportedly been effective, with only minor technical issues noted. The district has installed 87 sensors, and feedback from the community has been largely positive.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the introduction of the Lightspeed Parent Portal, a new tool aimed at enhancing parental oversight of students' online activities. The portal, currently in beta testing, will allow parents to monitor their children's web activity both at home and school. The automated onboarding process for parents is expected to be available by late summer, providing a comprehensive report of their child's online interactions.

Parent Ally Roten addressed the board, expressing concerns about the use of iPads in early education. She highlighted her decision to decline an iPad for her kindergartner due to worries about screen dependency and its potential negative effects on mental and emotional health. Roten shared an incident where her child encountered inappropriate content on an iPad while under the supervision of a substitute teacher, raising questions about the effectiveness of content filters. She urged the board to evaluate the impact of iPad usage on young students, advocating for a more thoughtful approach to technology in classrooms.

Board members engaged with Roten, acknowledging her concerns and discussing the balance between technology use and developmental appropriateness for young children. They inquired about the extent of iPad usage in classrooms and whether there is a standardized curriculum guiding its application.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate the issues raised, particularly regarding the use of technology in early education and the potential need for policy adjustments. The board expressed appreciation for community input and emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue with parents to ensure the best outcomes for students.