We, the undersigned parents and community members of Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco), respectfully request that the Jeffco Board of Education conduct a formal review of current district policies governing the use of educational technology (EdTech), Chromebooks, and iPads in elementary and middle school classrooms.

We recognize that technology has a place in modern education. However, many families have growing concerns about the extent, frequency, and structure of device use during the school day and for homework.

Specifically, we are concerned about:

*The impact of frequent screen-based instruction on student attention, focus, and deep learning
*The long-term impact of gamification strategies on student motivation, resilience, and the development of intrinsic curiosity 
*Increased classroom management demands associated with internet-enabled devices
*Student data privacy related to third-party EdTech platforms
*The expansion of screen time into the home through device-based homework
*The developmental appropriateness of 1:1 device models in younger grades

We respectfully ask the Board to consider the following policy-level actions:

*Establish clear, developmentally appropriate limits on daily device use in elementary and middle school classrooms.
*Prioritize paper-based and non-digital instruction by default, with technology used intentionally rather than routinely.
*Reevaluate the 1:1 device model in early grades, including consideration of shared carts or lab-based access.
*Provide a formal parent opt-out option from routine classroom device use, with reasonable non-digital instructional alternatives.
*Increase transparency for families regarding when, why, and how EdTech tools are used, including data collection practices.

We believe these steps are consistent with Jeffco’s commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and thoughtful policy leadership. A growing number of public school districts across the country have adopted similar guardrails or opt-out provisions, demonstrating that these approaches are both workable and legally viable.

We ask the Board to place this issue on a future agenda for study session discussion and to invite parent and community input as part of the review process.

Our goal is not to eliminate technology from classrooms, but to ensure that its use supports — rather than competes with — sustained attention, deep learning, and healthy development.

Respectfully,

David Fulton

Bell Middle School and Golden High School parent

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Resources:

Chromebook Remorse: Tech Backlash at Schools Extends Beyond Phones -- New York Times 4/28/26​

The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--and How to Help Them Thrive Again by Jared Horvath, Ph.D.

 Jared Cooney Horvath—The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning—And How To Help Them Thrive Again ( 42 min podcast by the Principals Center)​

What Will It Take to Get AI Out of Schools? The New Yorker, April, 2026

Here is a short article about how the Board of Education in Los Angeles unaimously passed a resolution to limit screen time in schools.