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School board keeps 1-to-1 program, approves targeted iPad purchase and yearlong review of device use
Summary
The Garden City USD 457 board voted to continue its 1-to-1 instructional technology program while authorizing a targeted purchase of iPads for fifth and ninth grades and directing staff to study screen time, curriculum use and alternative devices over the coming year.
The Garden City Unified School District No. 457 board on Thursday voted to continue its 1-to-1 instructional technology program and to authorize a targeted purchase of iPads for fifth- and ninth-grade students while staff pursues a yearlong review of device use and curricular guidance.
Casey Wise, the district director of technology, told the board the technology committee spent four months surveying staff, students, parents and local employers, and collected classroom device-use samples across grade levels. "We did 10 devices at each grade level at every building — 550 data points — and we did it twice," Wise said, summarizing the district's sampling method and the limitations of current Apple tools for bulk screen-time reporting.
Wise said the district locked in an order for 1,050 iPads to cover rotation needs and recommended buying only for fifth and ninth grades now while the district pilots alternatives at the high school: "Our proposal is going to be that because of that big jump in price that we make sure we do our due diligence ... our recommendation is going to be move forward with the iPad for 1 more cycle. Give us time to pilot that device or any other devices that we want to apply it to," Wise said.
Board members pressed staff on screen time and instructional impact. One board member argued that daily individual screen use for younger students was excessive: "I think 45 to 80 minutes a day ... Every day is too much," the member said, noting concerns about handwriting and face-to-face social development. Wise replied that the district's classroom observations and the second round of sample data put device-on time closer to roughly 10–15 percent of instructional minutes at many grades, and that the samples aligned with what walkthroughs showed.
Several trustees urged deeper curriculum involvement and expanded professional development. "This is more instructional than tech — instruction needs to be at the table," a trustee said, arguing that how devices are used in lessons determines their educational value.
After discussion, a motion to "continue the 1-to-1 instructional technology program in its current state with the recommended action steps outlined by the staff in the presentation" was moved and seconded and carried by voice/hand raise. The board’s action authorizes the targeted purchase and directs staff to return with pilots and further recommendations on device selection, professional development and curricular limits on screen time.
What this means: The district will supply iPads for fifth- and ninth-grade rotations in time for next school year while undertaking a structured review — including instruction-team engagement and pilot testing of other device types — before making broader device-replacement decisions for other grades.
Next steps: Staff will finalize pilot plans, share more granular screen-time and app-usage data, and convene instruction and curriculum leaders to define appropriate uses and limits during the 2026–27 school year.
