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Public raises tech and civility concerns as board outlines vetting plan for classroom apps and AI
Summary
Members of the public urged stricter controls on classroom apps, raised screen-time and data-privacy worries, and urged non-screen alternatives; the administration said it is vetting more than a thousand apps and developing an AI implementation plan and expanded cell-phone restrictions.
During two public-comment periods, several residents urged the board to tighten controls on classroom technology and to address civility at the board table.
Carolina Bevid read a long list of websites and apps cited in the district’s technology slideshow and said the volume of assigned web resources raised questions about oversight. "Some of these sites were mentioned in the P&L slideshow, but many were not," she said, and read examples that included Khan Academy, Quizlet, Edpuzzle, GeoGuessr and others.
Louisa Botaraco warned that big technology companies actively target schools and urged the district to adopt more protective policies, citing actions other districts have taken such as banning devices for early grades and using traffic-light systems for AI use. "What are the antidotes to tech overuse?" she asked, listing policies she would like to see.
The superintendent responded that the technology list in the slideshow was not exhaustive and that administration is working to vet apps and build an approved-app list; he said there are "over a thousand" apps currently catalogued and that the district is developing an AI implementation plan to complement the AI policy the board adopted earlier this year. The superintendent also noted Cherry Hill’s cell-phone ban is in its second year and described expansion to bell-to-bell protections for instructional time.
Separately, several public commenters raised concerns about civility and the conduct of members and noted the Commissioner of Education’s recent visit, while other speakers questioned staffing and salary priorities and the fiscal implications of bond projects.
Board members and administrators acknowledged the concerns and pledged further policy work. Ms. Palmer said P&L will return with policy drafts addressing time-on-device, acceptable use and operational implementation in coming committee cycles.
