The Bend-La Pine Schools Board of Directors approved a new policy on April 14 to review and regulate the use of technology, including iPads and artificial intelligence, in district classrooms. The resolution directs the district to assess all educational technology, establish standards for tech use by grade level, remove non-evidence-based tools from devices, and ensure screen time is limited to educational purposes.
The move comes after parents raised concerns about the impact of technology on student learning and health. In February, a group of parents delivered a letter with 1,100 signatures to the school board citing worries over iPads, apps, and generative AI in schools. They argued that reliance on these technologies has gone too far.
Brook Mues, founder of Well Wired—a local group advocating for technology regulation—said parents are “absolutely thrilled” with the new policy. “We’ve read other resolutions and policies from other districts and legislatures around the country, and honestly can say that this resolution passed by the school board is one of the best that we’ve seen in the country,” Mues said.
Karen Rush, director of educational technology for Bend-La Pine Schools, said that while iPads or AI will not be eliminated entirely from classrooms under Resolution 2013, there will be changes such as shifting away from personally-issued devices for younger students toward communal sets used only at school. “One of the things we’ve heard and the research we’re seeing is having kids think about technology as a shared community resource as opposed to an individual resource,” Rush said. She added that annual checks would ensure compliance with evidence-based criteria.
Cameron Fischer was the only board member who voted against adopting the policy due to concerns about implementation support: “I get concerned about having a resolution and not having the wherewithal or infrastructure to follow through,” Fischer said.
Acting Superintendent Lisa Birk told board members that administration supports implementing these changes: “All of these things I think we can make happen; I think our community is interested in,” Birk said.
Board Member Amy Tatom called for immediate action during Tuesday’s meeting: “We cannot risk harms that come with unfettered tech access nor can we stand to watch enrollment decrease because families are choosing an alternative to a screen-saturated education… If we’ve been waiting two years for action and there has been no action; I think directing is appropriate.” The district’s resolution cites recent studies linking screen time with social-emotional risks among youth.
While some teachers have found value in using MagicSchool—a closed AI platform—Rush described Bend-La Pine’s approach as cautious. Only about 20% of students have used MagicSchool so far. Rush concluded: “AI is going to be part of our students’ lives for their entire future… I feel like this policy really does allow us to move forward with that sort of intentional instruction piece.”
