Parent asks Saucon Valley board why students receive iPads instead of laptops; requests committee review

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Sarah Hauck of Bethlehem asked the Saucon Valley School District Board to review the district’s decision to provide iPads — without keyboards — to students in grades K–12 and to consider whether laptops or keyboards should be provided instead.

"Do you know why we are the only school district to supply K through twelfth grade with iPads and no laptops or keyboards?" Hauck asked. She said her two daughters have never learned to type and that she has heard of students using voice-to-text on iPads to write papers. Hauck told the board she called five neighboring districts and found those districts provide laptops at the middle- and high-school levels or iPads with keyboards in middle school.

Hauck asked whether parents should buy their own equipment and questioned how the district decided to adopt an iPad-centered approach. She said teachers at a recent open house told her students find it difficult to type on iPads for long-form assignments. Hauck requested that the matter be assigned to the appropriate committee, suggesting academics or finance.

Board members responded by saying they would identify the appropriate committee and noted that the topic could be discussed at a committee meeting. No formal referral, motion or decision was recorded during the meeting.

Ending — Board members reiterated the dates of upcoming meetings (Sept. 23 and Oct. 14). Hauck's request was recorded in public comment and will need a formal committee placement or a staff response to move forward.