Weston staff survey finds teachers favor technology but administrators warn of rising device downtime

Weston administrators told the Board of Education Jan. 27 that a staff survey shows broad support for classroom technology while also identifying maintenance and device-replacement as pressing needs.

The technology and teaching-and-learning presentation summarized responses from about 197 staff, representing roughly 83% of teachers, and found 92.3% of respondents said technology positively enhances student engagement in the classroom. "92.3% of our educators believe that technology is positively enhancing engagement and the experience for students in the classroom," the report said.

Administrators cautioned, however, that older Chromebooks and other aging equipment are a growing operational issue. "One of the biggest downsides is when the Chromebooks in grades 3 through 8 are down just due to their age," said Dan DeVito, who reviewed the survey results. Teachers said downtime creates instructional delays when loaner devices are limited.

The district said it intended to provide the survey questions and a fuller itemized response to the board before the next meeting and noted the survey included questions about screen-time balance, brain/movement breaks and how technology supports long-term skills. Administrators also said they would review software subscriptions for redundancy and look for savings without harming instruction.

Board members raised a separate point about capital trade-offs: some said buying new devices while proposing staff reductions could send a mixed message and urged administrators to prioritize instructional needs. Administrators said replacements lower long-term downtime and that failing to replace devices may increase instructional interruptions.

The board asked for the full survey questions and itemized responses before the vote scheduled for the following day.