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PRC asks staff to return April 22 with Chromebook recommendation after preK–2 home-use directive
Summary
Staff advised the committee March 25 that preK–2 Chromebooks should not go home after spring break; the PRC asked staff to return April 22 with a recommendation on grades 3–5, parental opt-outs, and charging logistics to avoid late notice for teachers.
Staff told the Policy Review Committee on March 25 that the division has instructed principals that Chromebooks should not be sent home with preK–2 students starting after spring break, and that a fuller recommendation for grades 3–5 and parental opt-out processes will be returned to the PRC on April 22.
Miss Williams, speaking for staff, said the division "met with all principals to say we do not want any Chromebooks going home preK through 2 grade. So, those six schools that were doing it now know not to do it starting right after spring break." The staff update said decisions for grades 3–5 are more nuanced and that staff are compiling data on how many devices currently leave campuses, how they are used for instruction, and what charging or distribution methods (charging stations vs. carts) would be needed.
Committee members said they were concerned about the timeline and teacher preparedness. One member said teachers need adequate lead time to redesign instruction if device access changes; another asked whether parental requests and a formal parental opt-out process would be part of the recommendation. Staff said legal review on opt-out is ongoing and that a verbal recommendation — not a slideshow — will be presented at the April 22 PRC meeting. Staff indicated they aim to have a definitive direction by late June or early July so schools can prepare for the next school year.
The committee asked staff to provide clear information on (1) which grade bands would be excluded from home use, (2) how devices would be shared or charged if not sent home, and (3) how parental requests for home access would be handled. Staff emphasized they will balance instructional needs, teacher workload and equity concerns when finalizing the recommendation.
Next steps: staff will return to PRC on April 22 with a verbal recommendation and accompanying data; if the school board requires further information, the committee and staff said they will respond as part of the ordinary policy and operational review process.
