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Bend‑LaPine board directs review of student‑facing apps, limits non‑evidence tools
Summary
The Bend‑LaPine School Board on April 14 passed Resolution 2013 directing district staff to inventory and review all student-facing technology, develop grade‑band standards for screen use, remove non–evidence‑based apps from student devices and report back on screen‑time monitoring and costs. The 4–1 vote followed hours of public comment on iPads and student well‑being.
The Bend‑LaPine School Board voted 4–1 on April 14 to approve Resolution 2013, which directs the superintendent to inventory district technology, establish grade‑band standards for classroom screen use and remove non–evidence‑based, student‑facing applications from district devices.
The resolution, read into the record by Board Chair Mark Lrand, requires the district to "develop standards of use for educational technology at different grade bands" (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12), to "ensure screen use is limited to defined curricular and educational purposes only," and to report on systems that currently monitor student screen time and the most commonly used apps.
Why it matters: Dozens of public commenters and student representatives urged action on classroom devices, arguing that one‑to‑one iPads and some software increase distraction and harm young learners. Parent Courtney Hines said the board's prior conversations had "reflected curiosity and a willingness for you all to ask hard questions" and that "a vote to pass this resolution sends a clear message that you're listening." Teacher Kate Tibbitz urged the board to "consider removing one‑to‑one iPads from our K–2 classrooms. I'm proof it's possible," citing classroom experience.
What the board asked for: The resolution directs staff to (1) publish current policies, procedures and guidance on technology use; (2) review all websites and applications in use for compliance with EL4.7 (the district policy on technology); (3) assemble a list of approved applications by grade band; (4) maximize use of teacher‑led controls such as filtering and classroom management tools; and (5) study performance‑based contracts with vendors so that district purchases are tied to measurable learning outcomes.
Board debate: Supporters framed the action as a data‑driven, accountability step. Some board members expressed concerns about implementation demands and the boundary between board governance and operations. One director said the items in the resolution appeared operationally detailed and asked whether the district had the infrastructure to deliver every report requested. Acting Superintendent Dr. Lisa Burke and staff told the board they would provide the requested data in forthcoming reports and described an on‑ramp approach to implementation.
What comes next: Staff will prepare the inventories and reports called for in the resolution and present findings to the board, including lists of the most frequently used student apps, current systems for monitoring screen time and estimated costs of digital versus non‑digital curriculum. The board will receive those reports as part of its upcoming monitoring and budget cycles.
Community response: Supporters at the meeting — including parents, teachers and student representatives — framed the resolution as a necessary step to ensure technology use is evidence‑based and teacher‑led. Some district leaders emphasized that appropriately selected technology remains important for students with specific learning needs.
The board approved Resolution 2013 by a 4–1 vote.
