Parents and teachers press Scranton board on Chromebooks, iPads, book bans and substitute pay

Public comment at the Scranton School District board meeting on March 4 focused on classroom technology, academic recognition and equity issues. Several parents, teachers and community members asked the board to address devices that have not reached students and to resist external book bans.

Multiple speakers praised student achievements and local programs. Acting Superintendent remarks highlighted alumni Lorenzo Puglisi’s theater performance and said 35 Scranton High students went to the regional Junior Academy of Science, with 30 earning first awards. Public commenter Amanda Van Burski Burke thanked the board for recognizing that accomplishment.

Several speakers raised concerns about district technology distribution. Rosemary Bowling described ongoing problems with Chromebooks and said special-needs students’ legally required iPads must be present in classrooms with protective covers. Bowling said the district has had missing or uncharged devices for "a year and a half to a year and a half" and urged a reconciliation of what is in repair, what is deployed and what remains in storage. A board director asked for an asset-manager reconciliation and scheduled discussion at the education committee.

Teachers called for better substitute recruitment and retention. Holly Meade, a Scranton High teacher, proposed targeted pay increases for middle-school substitutes (noting dismissal times that discourage applicants) and suggested offering limited benefits to long-term substitutes; the board was told there are "about 50 people in these positions district wide." Meade recommended raising the substitute rate in targeted areas to improve staffing.

Several commenters and board members addressed national book-ban debates. Public commenter Susie Connors and Rosemary Bowling urged the board not to ban books in schools; Bowling said, "I find banning books disgusting," and encouraged using challenging material as teachable moments.

Board members agreed to follow up on technology distribution with an asset breakdown and to continue community engagement on substitute staffing. No policy changes were adopted during public comment; the board asked administration to return with factual reconciliations and next steps.