I witnessed a school board meeting March 9th that resulted in a number of thoughts racing through my mind.

Six parents rose to speak before the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board asking the board to delay the implementation of iPad devices for children grades kindergarten through fourth grade.

My first thought went to how many stories I had written about HSE21 and how it would eventually rollout iPad devices to all students in all grades.  Ann Craig-Cinnamon wrote a story about all grades eventually getting iPads in the March, 2014 edition of Current in Fishers…you can read the story at this link.  Dan Domsic wrote a story about this dated March, 2013, also in Current in Fishers…you can read that story in this link.

It should be noted that Current in Fishers is mailed to everyone with a Fishers mailing address, free of charge.

I have also written about this on my blog, and have made it clear the plan all along is for all students in the HSE Schools to have an iPad.

I point this out not to blame anyone.  I just wish these parents concerned about their K-4 students getting iPad devices had raised their concerns earlier in the process.  The process is so far along now that it would likely be very expensive for the HSE Schools to delay or cancel this iPad rollout to the youngest students.

The school administration is interested in having these concerned parents be a part of the iPad rollout process.  It should be noted no school board members voiced any support for a delay in the iPad distribution at the March 9th session.

Administrators at HSE will announce a plan for the iPad rollout soon.  I do believe they care about the comments made by parents at the March 9th board session.  But those same administrators also know their options are very limited at this point in the process.

As I wrote in a recent Indiana Forefront commentary, it’s a good sign that so many parents are concerned about their child’s education.  I cautioned at that time that board support is strong for this program and big changes were unlikely.

I know board members are willing to look at how to go from this point forward, but a delay is likely not in the cards.  A better rollout is possible.

For example, some parents voiced concern about iPads coming home with the students for homework assignments.  School officials seemed receptive to limiting the need for the iPads to come home with the students.

I’ve covered local education in Indiana for many years.  Each time I see parents gather to support their child’s education, I feel good about the future.  Unfortunately, the change they seek may not always be possible.