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Board opens discussion on parental opt‑out for K–3 use of personal devices; seeks staff and teacher input
Summary
The board discussed initiating a policy asking administration to develop a K–3 parental opt‑out option for curricular use of personal electronic devices starting in 2027–28. Members agreed to hold work sessions with teachers and parents and to pilot or further study logistics rather than adopt immediate policy.
Chair introduced discussion on whether parents should be allowed to opt their kindergarten through third‑grade children out of curricular use of personal electronic devices beginning in the 2027–28 school year. The proposal was presented as a discussion and information item — no vote was taken.
The chair said he wanted the conversation limited to early grades and emphasized that such a change would not be retroactive: "This is not a matter of taking something away... parents should have an option or be at the table to decide how much technology their children are having as a deliverer for the curriculum," he said. Board members asked about practical implications: printing needs for families that opt out, how state‑required electronic assessments would be administered, equity when some students have devices and others do not, and teacher workload.
Several members urged staff to convene teachers and parents before moving forward. One board member said a work session with K–3 teachers would be helpful to identify logistical issues and potential dealbreakers; another suggested piloting the approach. Staff noted prior classroom planning to provide device sets to kindergarten and first grade (8–10 devices per classroom) and agreed that teacher and parent input would be needed before any policy recommendation.
Concerns raised included on‑ and off‑site continuity (for example, "brain freeze" or snow‑day packets), whether families have printing capability, and how to ensure assessments are administered lawfully. Administration recommended a work session and a teacher/parent engagement process rather than immediate action; board members concurred and asked Martin to return a timeline and options.
Next steps: Superintendent Martin will coordinate follow‑up, including a potential work session and gathering sample protocols from teachers and comparable districts, then present options at a future meeting.
