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Superintendent presents draft screen-time policy proposing reduced universal device use in early grades
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflet presented a first draft of a technology-use policy that would limit one-to-one devices in early grades and emphasize intentional, teacher-led screen use; board members requested teacher and parent feedback and a summer timeline for review.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflet presented a draft technology-use and screen-time policy for discussion, describing it as an early-stage document that would likely be revised after feedback. The draft would reduce routine one-to-one device use in pre-K to second grade and encourage device use only when instructional purpose justifies it; the draft retains device use for some benchmark assessments administered via Mastery Connect.
Shifflet said the proposal grew from staff book studies (he cited Jared Horvath's The Digital Delusion) and a review of practices in other large districts. He argued the district must be intentional about screen time to protect deep learning and noted concerns about the myth of multitasking and competing digital distractions.
Board members emphasized the need for research grounding, teacher input and an equity lens. The superintendent proposed collecting feedback via email or a survey and suggested the board could consider adoption during the summer for an August implementation, while acknowledging that teachers need time to plan if classroom practice changes (for example, replacing daily K–2 device time with alternate classroom activities).
What’s next: Staff will circulate the draft to teachers and stakeholders, consider a short survey to collect feedback, and return to the board with revisions before any formal adoption.
