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Parent group asks District 97 to limit student device access; petition claims 1,500 signatures
Summary
A parent speaker asked the board to pursue 'distraction-free' classrooms and limit outside access to district-issued iPads/Chromebooks, saying a Screen Sense Oak Park petition has about 1,500 parent signatures and that physical restrictions or keeping devices at school would reduce distractions.
A parent asked the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 board to lead on policies that limit student access to district-issued iPads and Chromebooks in order to reduce distractions and support students with attention challenges.
Liz Crop identified herself and said her child returned from school with an iPad that, she believed, lacked adequate parental controls. "I want the district to keep the iPads at school," she said, while also urging the district to explore physical-device restrictions so children cannot access YouTube or other sites during unsupervised times. Crop said about 1,500 District 97 parents have signed the Screen Sense Oak Park petition asking for sensible screen policies in schools.
Crop cited national reporting linking school devices and changing test-score trends and urged Oak Park to be a leader in adopting policies that prioritize learning over tech access. The exchange took place during public comment; the transcript records the petition total and the request but does not record immediate action from the board in response.
Why this matters: Parents and staff at this meeting said device access affects classroom behavior and learning for students with ADHD and other needs. The petition and public comment put pressure on district leaders to clarify device-use policies and whether devices are kept at school, supervised, or restricted in functionality.
Next steps: The board did not make a formal motion on screens at this meeting; parents may expect administration follow-up or policy review.
