Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge Omaha Public Schools to limit iPad time, seek opt-outs and more transparency
Summary
Parents and a substitute teacher told the Omaha Public Schools board that mandated digital-learning minutes on iPads and phone access in classrooms are distracting, poorly aligned with instruction, and causing student stress; several asked for a district study and opt-out options.
Parents and educators pressed the Omaha Public Schools board on June 15 to rein in student use of cell phones and district‑issued iPads, saying mandatory digital minutes on apps such as SuccessMaker, Amira and Lexia are misaligned with classroom instruction and, in some cases, harming children.
At the start of the public comment period, substitute teacher Terry Herman told the board that phones “are a disruption” and urged stricter enforcement and physical collection of devices during class so teachers can teach without stopping instruction. “Let's help the teachers by taking the phones physically from the students so they don't have the ability to bring them out and use them during class,” Herman said.
Several parents offered similar concerns. Anna Peters called SuccessMaker “like that suit you bought years ago that no longer fits” and said the program forces students to spend time on skills that do not match current classroom units. “We're spending 20 minutes a day out of an 80‑minute class period, that's 25% of our teaching time on material that doesn't help our students advance,” Peters said.
Elena Okonnell described her children’s experience with district apps and said digital learning minutes were tied to classroom incentives. She said an app caused one of her children to cry and requested an opt‑out for families who prefer less screen time: “I am pleading and urging the board to make bold changes to tech policy and requirements and at the very least to provide an opt out option for parents and families,” Okonnell said.
Other parents asked for district‑level study and greater transparency. Leah Baker, who said she represents a growing group of parents, asked the board to “study this topic, talk to teachers, talk to parents, pass a resolution this summer” and consider limiting screen time for elementary students. Anna Wastel, a parent and district advisory council member, said parents currently cannot see how school‑issued devices are used and urged reporting or monitoring that gives families more visibility.
Omaha Education Association President Kathy Ehling, speaking later during public comment, praised collaborative work with district leaders and described a new protocol developed with the district for responding when classrooms become disruptive; she said the association is working with administration to implement supports that will help staff manage behavior without relying solely on removals.
Board members did not take immediate action during the meeting but heard consistent requests for: an opt‑out option for digital learning minutes, a district study of screen time and app use, greater parental transparency about in‑school device activity, and more reliance on teacher judgment rather than mandatory app minutes.
The board received these comments during the public‑comment section; several parents indicated they would return to future meetings to continue the conversation.
