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Parents raise Title IX concerns; students present 306‑signature petition to revise device ban
Summary
At the Dec. 16 meeting Shirley Cutho, speaking for local Moms for Liberty members, urged transparency about federal Title IX rule changes; later, two seniors presented a petition signed by 306 people asking the board to allow educational use of personal devices such as iPads and AirPods under teacher discretion.
Public comment at the Northland Pines board meeting on Dec. 16 included concerns about federal Title IX rule changes and a student petition asking the district to revise restrictions on personal devices.
Shirley Cutho said she had provided information to the district administrator about revised Title IX rules the Department of Education published in 2024 and asked the board to be transparent about how the district will handle any policy changes. She urged the board to keep parents informed and to ensure any changes respect parental rights.
Two high‑school seniors, Owen Friends and Cody Boyda, told the board they were speaking on behalf of 306 petition signers and proposed a policy that would allow personal devices—MacBooks, iPads, AirPods and other wireless headphones—for strictly educational purposes. Their proposal called for teacher discretion, accountability for noneducational use and retention of teacher authority to regulate devices in class. Students argued school‑issued devices are sometimes inadequate for advanced coursework and that wireless devices can support accessibility and multitasking when used appropriately.
The district thanked the speakers for bringing their concerns and noted that the board’s public‑comment period does not elicit direct responses from the board during the meeting; staff and board members offered to follow up outside the public forum.
The board did not take formal action on either Title IX policy or the device petition during the meeting; both items were recorded for future consideration or referral to staff and policy committees.
