Kansas Education Policy: Districts Back Technology Acknowledgment Over Opt-Outs
Johnson County school leaders urge the state board to retain local control while parents advocate for stricter limits on classroom device usage.
By Layla Petrov ·
The Kansas Board of Education is currently reviewing proposed changes to instructional technology policies that will affect public schools across the state. These revisions address the role of digital tools in elementary and secondary education, alongside data privacy and security protocols.
A central point of contention is the mechanism for parental consent. The board is evaluating whether families should simply acknowledge the use of technology or if they should retain the right to opt in or opt out entirely. Several Johnson County school districts recently sent a joint letter to the board recommending an annual parent and guardian acknowledgement. This approach, referred to as Option A, preserves local control while ensuring transparency.
The joint letter, signed by Shawnee Mission School District and other local entities, outlines the operational challenges of a non-digital curriculum. It notes that many secondary textbooks and course materials are delivered exclusively through district learning management systems. Furthermore, Kansas law requires every student to maintain an Individual Plan of Study, a task completed on district-issued digital platforms. The letter argues that opting students out would result in unequal access to materials and increase the financial burden on district budgets.
Dr. Michael Schumacher, Superintendent of Shawnee Mission School District, supports the acknowledgement model. He stated, "To me, Option A is measured. It forces school districts to take a stand, to take some proactive steps towards district-issued technology, but it doesn’t dictate exactly what they’re going to do." Schumacher warned that an opt-out policy would force teachers to design two different lessons daily, creating an unsustainable burden on staff who are already managing complex student needs.
Parents and community advocates hold a different view. Kim Whitman, who co-leads Schools Beyond Screens Shawnee Mission, argues that independent research should guide policy decisions. She believes that if districts used technology intentionally, the need for opt-out options would diminish. Whitman noted that a recent letter of support for intentional technology use has gathered over 1,000 signatures in less than a month, indicating widespread concern among families.
Dana Hoffman, a parent in the district, expressed a preference for local decision-making. She acknowledged the utility of technology in high school but felt the current acknowledgement process offers little choice. Hoffman stated, "I think it’s more conducive for districts to make implementations of policy on their own." She added that state intervention is necessary only when local districts fail to act, similar to the recent cell phone regulations.
The state board is scheduled to finalize and act on the technology policy in November. This decision follows the implementation of House Bill 2299, signed by Governor Laura Kelly in March 2026. The law mandates a bell-to-bell cell phone ban for all Kansas public and accredited private schools. Shawnee Mission formally adopted its device policy in July 2026, requiring student phones to be powered off and stored away during the school day.
Dr. Schumacher reported that the cell phone ban has been largely successful, with teachers noting quieter lunchrooms and more engaged classrooms. He acknowledged some behavioral hurdles but described the overall impact as positive. The board's upcoming vote will determine how instructional devices are managed, separate from the new restrictions on personal cell phones.
