Parents press district for screen‑time standards, tracking and local phone policy

A parent group appearing at public comment asked the Bend‑LaPine School Board to adopt clearer limits and better data collection on student screen time and mobile‑phone use in schools.

Brooke Muse, who identified herself as a co‑founder of Wellwired, said the group has grown and that parents regularly ask the district for transparency on phone policy and classroom screen‑time use. Muse said practices vary by classroom and that the district does not track how much time students spend on screens: “To our knowledge, the district does not track the time students are spending on screens.”

She noted a letter signed by 135 child development experts urging the district to set screen‑time standards by grade level and said parents want evidence that educational technology improves academic outcomes. Muse asked the district to consider local control of phone‑free school policies, noting some senators have encouraged such local approaches.

District response: the superintendent noted the district convened an informational technology stakeholder work group; Muse said she will participate. The board did not take formal action at the meeting.

Why it matters: families and educators are debating appropriate classroom use of devices, the educational value of ed‑tech and whether districts should set local phone policies. Clear guidance and data on screen time would shape instruction and student experience.

No policy changes were recorded at the meeting; district staff said stakeholders would continue work in the IT group and follow up with the public commenters.