Berkeley County Schools launches summer device pilot as critics warn of risks

Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Sachs told the board on May 19 that the district will pilot allowing students in grades K–11 to keep district-issued devices over the summer to let teachers start diagnostics earlier in August. "By allowing students to keep their devices over the summer, we're helping them show up ready with their devices charged, tools in hand, preparing to learn," Sachs said, describing the pilot as modeled on other districts and explicitly reversible if it does not produce clear instructional or operational benefits.

The initiative is aimed at getting instructional diagnostics, including i-Ready assessments, into students' hands earlier than the district's recent experience of a 5–6 week delay at the start of school; Sachs said the pilot is meant to reduce summer redeployment costs and eliminate the start‑of‑year delays that limit early targeted instruction. He also said families can opt out by contacting their school, that AppleCare/Safeware insurance purchased by the district covers 100% of accidental repair costs, and that the pilot is being framed as a limited trial: "If the results this fall do not reflect clear instructional and operational benefits, then we will absolutely evaluate," Sachs said.

Some board members and public commenters urged caution. Board member (and parent) Michelle Powers said she would likely opt her children out, explaining a concern about students’ social‑emotional health and summertime screen access: "My concern revolves around the social emotional aspect for our kids." Sherry Breach, speaking in the citizens forum, called the district-wide rollout a mistake and warned of device loss, resale or misuse: "This decision ranks at the top of the list as being a total mistake," she said, urging the district to reconsider a full roll‑out and to include principals and frontline staff in planning.

The board did not take a formal vote specifically authorizing the pilot at the May 19 meeting; the superintendent announced the pilot and the board discussed concerns and next steps. Board members asked administration to provide clearer communications to staff and families (budget highlights and a summer learning toolkit were referenced) and to continue work on accountability processes for devices, including messaging on responsibilities and consequences for loss or damage. Administration and the board also discussed the potential need for additional monitoring if the pilot expanded in future years.

District officials told the board that the pilot approach follows models in Kanawha, Cabell and other districts and emphasized that the pilot is designed to be opt‑in for families and to limit district repair costs by leveraging purchased device insurance. The superintendent’s office and the technology department will report fall outcomes to the board after the pilot period to determine whether to continue or change the approach.