I’ve been covering the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board regularly for a few years now. I’ve seen many big issues come before the board for a decision.  The board will be faced with a very major decision March 23rd.

For the past few years, The HSE21 program has been rolling out.  The ultimate goal is to have a 1:1 student-to-iPad ratio in all schools.  That has happened at all grades except kindergarten through 4th grade.

Students in those lower grades are scheduled to have their 1:1 iPad-to-student ratio in the school year commencing in August of this year. The program has been piloted in these lower grades.  The school corporation has issued bonds to pay for the iPads.

In recent weeks, a group of parents has come together to oppose the grades K-4 1:1 rollout scheduled for August.  They have a number of concerns, many of which were voiced by 6 parents that spoke before the board at the last regular meeting.

The school administration listened to the concerns and promised to have a recommendation for a school board decision.  At a scheduled board work session (work sessions are set aside once a month for discussions, not actions) on March 15th, administrators unveiled their first draft of a proposal.  Read my story about the work session at this link.

Now there is another group of parents advocating the other side, arguing that the iPad rollout should move forward as originally scheduled.

Watching the arguments go back and forth has been fascinating for me.  I set a new record on my news blog for the number of comments submitted for one story in the one linked above, written after the recent board work session.

Some of you have your mind made up, and if that is so, I understand.  But I am sensing a lot of parents are not so certain what to think.  For those parents, I have the following suggestions.

There are lots of academic studies being cited by both sides.  Keep in mind that all academic studies are not created equally.  One that is peer reviewed (meaning many peers have reviewed and commented on the study, often leading to changes and clarifications) is much more valuable than one that is not peer reviewed.  Also, be careful that the study cited really says what an advocate for either side claims it does…..it’s easy to just pick out the part that makes your case and ignore data that veers to the other side.

I am urging all parents to carefully consider what you think, then let your school board members know.  You can e-mail your school board members at this link.  School board members are elected officials, and my experience in covering local government is this – they pay attention to their constituents’ views.

I have always taken the position that a good, healthy debate results in better policy from any public body.  I will be watching with interest as the HSE School Board makes its decision March 23rd.