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Teachers and psychologists urge reinstatement of telework days, call for stronger device enforcement
Summary
Multiple teachers, school psychologists and counselors told the board that a five-day telework pilot aided concentrated work such as evaluations and IEP paperwork and urged the district to restore telework days and strengthen classroom device controls.
At public comment, several ACPS employees and parents urged the board to restore a five-day telework pilot and adopt firmer classroom device limits for the upcoming year.
Maureen Thomas, a 25-year ACPS veteran and 12-month academic specialist, asked the board to reinstate the pilot 'which allowed us to telework for 5 days a year,' saying those days offered quiet time for concentrated tasks. Kelly Barr, a school psychologist at Glendale Regional, said one psychological assessment takes an average of eight hours and that telework days allowed staff uninterrupted time to complete assessments, Medicaid billing and paperwork; "By providing school psychologists those 5 telework days, we could more effectively balance those demands," she said. Judith Baum, a high school counselor, called the days an "essential tool" and said they were scheduled strategically with coverage to maintain student support.
Several public speakers also urged stricter enforcement of device rules. Middle school teacher and parent Jennifer Sell called the proposed device changes "minuscule" and urged the board to study research on screen harms and replicate successful school procedures. Board members acknowledged the concerns and said staff will continue community engagement and regulatory updates ahead of the new school-year requirements.
