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Superintendent proposes staff technology survey and community committees to guide new levies
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Giesland told the Granite Falls School Board the district will survey certificated staff on Chromebook and screen use and is forming community committees to shape how recently approved levy funds will be spent, including facilities and athletic field improvements.
Dr. Peter Giesland, superintendent of the Granite Falls School District, told the board on Feb. 25 that the district will launch a technology-use survey of certificated staff to measure Chromebook and screen time and to help set instructional policy.
"We're going to be doing a technology survey of our certificated staff," Dr. Giesland said, adding the district wants to understand how Chromebooks are used in classrooms and whether devices should go home at the K–8 level. He framed the survey as part of a broader review of how digital tools support instruction and staff observations.
The survey will ask how much time students spend on Chromebooks and large-format classroom displays, whether devices are used for core instruction or assessment, and staff perceptions of technology integration. Giesland cited research raising concerns about excessive screen time and noted international assessment trends as part of the rationale for re-examining the district’s device strategy.
The superintendent also outlined a slate of district committees that will be advertised for community participation to ensure transparency in spending levy funds that voters approved on Feb. 10. Giesland described a facilities and capital projects committee for long-term building planning; an athletic field improvement committee that will consider turfing, lighting and drainage; a Curriculum Instruction Assessment ("CIA") committee led by Executive Director Moore to oversee curriculum and assessments; and a health and wellness committee chaired by Executive Director Quarterman to focus on student health and safety.
"Each of these committees will report back to the board because, ultimately, the board decides where we're going to spend those monies," Giesland said, and he invited families, students and community members to apply to serve. He said levy-related communications will appear on the district website and social media and that the district will email details for those interested in serving.
Board members asked whether the staff survey would include questions about classroom-monitoring tools that replaced earlier products such as GoGuardian. Giesland said staff and district technology leaders have begun the "nuts and bolts" work of the survey this week and will add monitoring and usage questions.
Next steps: the district will finalize survey items with staff, advertise committee openings and return committee reports to the board for final decisions on levy spending.
