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Davis district outlines digital-literacy framework, filtering and Blocksy parental controls
Summary
Dr. Logan Toon, Davis School District chief administrator for digital learning, told the board the district is pairing a draft K–12 digital-literacy framework with device-management tools, network filtering, guarded AI environments and a parental-control rollout using Blocksy.
Dr. Logan Toon, Davis School District chief administrator for digital learning, told the board at a work workshop that the district is pursuing a balanced, systemwide approach to student device use that pairs a grade-band digital-literacy framework with device-management tools, filtering and guarded AI resources.
The presentation covered four organizing areas: a K–12 digital literacy framework, device management and teacher supports, use and controls for artificial-intelligence tools, and parent communication and engagement. Toon said the district is refining 18 digital-literacy standards and mapping them across K–12 grade bands so skills such as media literacy, privacy, academic honesty and recognizing AI can be taught progressively rather than concentrated in a single course.
"We strongly, firmly, absolutely, 100% believe that a device cannot replace a teacher," Dr. Toon said, explaining the district's position that devices are instructional tools, not substitutes for classroom teaching.
Device-management items described to the board included a publicly posted list of approved software, technology-compliance and data-privacy reviews for new apps, teacher-facing training modules on Canvas, and school technology specialists and district technology coaches who provide in-person support. Proctorio is used for browser lockdown during district exams, and NetSupport provides classroom monitoring capabilities similar to a legacy product, NetRef.
On filtering, district IT staff described an iBoss-based system that blocks by category, blocks or allows individual sites, and can apply rules at district, school or student level. Administrators said school IT staff or principals can apply student-level blocks on request; parents may request blocks through school administration today and will gain additional control when Blocksy is rolled out.
Blocksy (referred to in the presentation as an add-on to the existing filtering system) will run on district devices and provide teachers with real-time visibility and control of student internet activity during class. When devices are connected to district networks, school staff control access; when devices are at home, Toon said parents will be able to use a web or mobile interface to set time-of-day controls, block lists, pause internet access and receive activity reports. The district estimated the parent-and-safety add-on at roughly $80,000 per year.
On artificial intelligence, Toon said the district blocks general-purpose, public OpenAI access on district devices and Wi‑Fi because of data-privacy concerns. Instead the district endorses sheltered AI products designed for schools—Magic School and Skillstruck—which the district said meet federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) expectations, have data-privacy review approvals, and run within protected environments with flagging and logging mechanisms. Those tools offer built-in safeguards and instructor controls; the district also provides an "AI toolbox" for teacher training and recommends honoring parental requests to opt students out of specific AI activities.
When asked how quickly safety flags arrive, district staff said Magic School flags and associated email alerts are sent immediately and that the district routes serious flags (for example, self-harm) to student services.
Superintendent Linford and multiple board members praised the district’s approach and asked for robust parent trainings and rollout materials when Blocksy is deployed; district staff said a phased rollout was planned in the coming weeks with training and outreach.
The discussion also noted that recent state-level legislative action on in-school cell phone restrictions motivated the district to clarify classroom device rules and the role of parents and teachers in managing device use.
No formal board action or vote was taken during the presentation. District staff asked the board to note the framework and to expect additional materials and proposed implementations for review in coming months.
