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Montoursville Area SD reviews one-to-one device use, will convene teacher focus groups
Summary
At its May 26 work session, the Montoursville Area School Board reviewed grade-by-grade Chromebook use, heard staff say K–4 devices remain on campus, and agreed to convene teacher focus groups and evaluate expansion to older grades before spending more on take-home devices.
At a May 26 work session, the Montoursville Area School Board received a staff presentation on the district’s one-to-one device program and data on student screen time.
A staff presenter identified in discussion as Sharon said the district keeps Chromebooks on campus for kindergarten through fourth grade, stored in charging carts and not sent home. "K through four elementary students do not take those take those home," Sharon said, explaining the district sees that model as appropriate for the youngest learners and for classroom management.
Sharon reviewed average daily device use across grade bands and said use spiked in April because state online testing used the DRC Insight platform. She listed the top classroom apps as I‑Ready, Google Docs, Epic, YouTube, Ozoblockly and Nitro Type, and described much of the recorded time as purposeful personalized learning rather than aimless browsing. "The number one app used during the month of April was DRC Insight," she said, noting that testing increased averages.
Board members pressed staff on how the time is used and on whether the device program delivers value relative to its cost. One member said lower grades averaged roughly 30 minutes per day on devices and questioned whether that justified a one-to-one Chromebook purchase and distribution model. Staff responded that device use is spread across the day and often tied to centers, diagnostics and teacher-led activities rather than a single block of screen time.
The board agreed to convene teacher focus groups and gather more granular app-and-usage data before expanding one-to-one take-home access for older elementary grades. Staff also said they will provide a breakdown of the most-used apps by grade and further detail on how teachers employ YouTube and other resources in lessons.
The board did not take formal action to change the device policy at the meeting; members discussed pausing or piloting changes and asked staff to return with recommendations and teacher feedback.
