Parent tells school committee high teacher turnover and Chromebook access are harming students

During the public forum on March 10, a Blackstone parent who identified herself as Melissa urged the school committee to address two interrelated issues she said are affecting students: high teacher turnover and insufficient controls on district Chromebooks.

"My daughter... has gone on her sixth teacher that has left this year as a freshman," Melissa said, describing the stress and academic disruption for students who must repeatedly adapt to new instructors. She urged administrators to consider teacher retention and to avoid adult conversations about why teachers leave in front of students.

Melissa also recounted a technology incident: "There was a boy who took her Chromebook... and that student went on to pornhub," she said, and added that school staff viewed camera footage and took disciplinary steps. She asked the district to improve filtering, supervision and parent notification practices so parents can work with the school on discipline and learning recovery.

District administrators acknowledged the incident and the parent's concerns and offered to follow up directly. Dr. Laporte (district administrator present in the discussion) confirmed that school staff had reviewed camera footage and discipline had been applied; staff invited the parent to meet to resolve outstanding questions and to discuss technical and supervisory adjustments.

The committee did not take formal policy action during the meeting but administrators flagged the technology and staffing concerns as priorities for follow-up with building leaders and the technology team.