Parent group urges Norman schools to restrict generative AI, increase contract transparency

During public communications, Tabrina Alexander of Schools Beyond Screens — Norman chapter urged the board to expand its current limits on classroom screen use and to increase transparency about technology vendors and data collection.

"First of all, I wanna say thank you guys for not having generative AI in schools this year," Alexander said. She called on the district to publish vendor contracts, privacy agreements and aggregate screen-use data by grade and school, to adopt stronger content filtering that blocks nonauthorized streaming and social media unless teacher-authorized, and to create an independent committee of students, teachers and board members to oversee technology decisions.

Alexander also urged an opt-in approach for devices and apps, stronger parental consent options and a ban on screens for pre-K through second grade, noting that current Norman policy caps pre-K–1 screen time at 30 minutes per day and arguing that younger children need hands-on learning. The board did not respond to comments during the public-comment period per policy but recorded the public remarks in the meeting minutes.

The speaker also cited the state-level Responsible Technology in Schools Act (Senate Bill 1734) and asked the board to provide easier ways for parents to opt out of AI use. The remarks were entered into the public record during the communications portion of the meeting.