Charlottesville plans off-and-away device rollout, board weighs screen-time limits and instruction

Charlottesville's technology director, Mr. Cuomo, briefed the board on device-delivery models and recommended a shift toward an "off-and-away" cart model in elementary and middle schools, keeping devices in school rather than issuing them for daily carry and take-home use.

Mr. Cuomo said K–4 will follow an off-and-away cart model next year; the department plans to move middle-school grades to off-and-away carts (devices stay in school) as part of a fall 2026 implementation for grades 6–8 and to keep high school on a carry model for the near term because of AP, dual-enrollment and other curricular complexities.

He described tools the division uses to manage in-class device use—Classwise and Linewize for live monitoring and lockdown, and Custodio for optional parent-managed controls on division devices taken home—and noted the division’s default posture keeps YouTube and games blocked unless a teacher temporarily unblocks them for instruction.

Mr. Cuomo also cited Virginia HB1486, which requires instruction related to time spent on electronic devices and their addictive potential; board members suggested a formal resolution endorsing the instructional approach and asked staff to pilot screen-free classrooms, gather teacher feedback, and communicate the planned changes publicly.

Board members supported the phased approach and asked staff to return with implementation details, teacher input and communications for families. No formal policy was adopted; staff will pursue stakeholder input and bring recommended policy language or a resolution back to the board.