Technology director proposes 'off-and-away' device model; board weighs stakeholder input

Charlottesville’s director of technology told the school board on May 21 that the division currently has no formal EdTech/screen-time policy and proposed moving to an "off-and-away" device model for elementary and middle schools next year.

Director Pat Cuomo described two device-access models — devices that remain in carts (off-and-away) and carry-model devices — and said he favors carts for K–5 and rolling implementation for middle school so devices stay at school rather than go home. “For this upcoming school year…all elementary schools will have the device starting in a cart and away, and the teacher would make the decision of when those devices would need to come out,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo described classroom-management tools such as ClassWise (which can monitor or lock student screens during class) and Custodio (which allows families to apply restrictions on division-owned devices at home). He cited Virginia House Bill 1486, which adds required instruction about time spent using electronic devices.

Board members supported stakeholder engagement — including teacher and parent surveys and piloting changes — and asked staff to ensure clear communication if the division implements device-management changes. Trustees also discussed whether some high-school courses (AP or college-prep) should retain a carry-model and how device policy intersects with reading comprehension and assessment integrity.

No formal board policy was adopted; the director said he will share implementation documents and solicited trustee guidance on whether the board wishes to consider a formal resolution related to HB1486.