Parents press Millburn BOE for stricter Chromebook, YouTube and AI rules in elementary schools

Several parents asked the Millburn Township Board of Education on May 4 to tighten district rules governing Chromebooks, online access and classroom screen time in elementary grades.

Amanda Salco described behavior and attention changes she attributed to third‑grade Chromebook access and asked why elementary students have open internet and YouTube access on school devices. She said monitoring tools often flag issues after the fact and urged alternatives such as computer labs or age‑appropriate, teacher‑guided resources instead of open browsing.

Mari Lee, a parent of a Hartshorn second grader, urged the board to update district policy on screen time, YouTube and AI. Her specific requests included moving away from 1:1 Chromebooks in K–5, eliminating student‑directed YouTube and AI chatbots for K–5, removing devices during non‑instructional periods, and improving parent notification and consent.

Amita Cometh, speaking as a parent and educator, asked for a balanced approach: reducing screen time (a proposed 50/50 model), designated device‑free classroom periods, and strategic device storage to lower temptation. Leah Monaco, vice president of the Millburn Education Association, requested that the administration share two to three years of grade‑level enrollment additions (including summer months) so staff can evaluate late arrivals and staffing needs.

Administration previously announced a planned technology use audit to gather data on frequency and instructional purpose of device use; the audit was referenced during the meeting as a first step to inform any policy changes. Board members acknowledged the parents’ concerns and said they expect the audit findings to guide next steps and any policy revisions.

The board did not take action on a specific technology policy at the May 4 meeting but recorded multiple requests that the district return with clearer policy options and data.