The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Board of Education will host a presentation on artificial intelligence and technology use in classrooms later this month, following up on a discussion Tuesday about balancing digital learning with traditional instruction and addressing parents’ concerns.
District Superintendent Francesco Ianni told the board that he and Jaclyn Gibbons, the district’s director of technology, will present an overview of technology and artificial intelligence at the board’s Oct. 27 meeting. The district is also planning a “parent university” event on Nov. 16 to help families understand how technology is used in classrooms and to give them an opportunity to ask questions.
Tuesday’s discussion followed public comments from parents with differing perspectives on technology, including concerns about inconsistent practices across grade levels and calls for clearer guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Taylor DiTrapani, a parent of three district students and an assistant vice president at Northwell Health who oversees administrative services, including human resources and information technology, urged the district to continue expanding students’ opportunities to develop digital skills.
“I believe we can acknowledge the potential downsides of technology,” DiTrapani said, “while still recognizing its value as an educational tool.”
She argued that students must learn to use technology responsibly to prepare for a workforce increasingly shaped by A.I., digital communication and online research. Schools, she said, can help students develop digital literacy, evaluate credible sources and solve problems while ensuring that all children have access to appropriate tools.
DiTrapani also called for greater consistency in technology use across classrooms and grade levels, arguing that teachers need districtwide guidance and support.
“As parents, we want our children reading, writing, thinking critically, building relationships and spending time outside,” she said. “I want all of those things for my children, too, but I also want them to graduate prepared for the world they actually live in, not the world that we grew up in.”
Crystalyn Stewart-Loayza, a parent of five district children who is a chief digital officer and leads what she described as “A.I. transformation” for Mekanism, a San Fransico-based creative agency, urged the board to look beyond current technology concerns and develop a framework for responsible A.I. use.
Parents, Stewart-Loayza said, need more education about emerging technology and how A.I. tools are being incorporated into existing systems. She also warned that addressing technology questions on a case-by-case basis in individual classrooms could create risks as the technology evolves.
She recommended that the district consider establishing a small advisory group of community members to work with district tech leaders and help evaluate current and future challenges. Stewart-Loayza offered to volunteer for such an initiative.
“Responsible A.I. is not a policy,” she said. “It is a process, and a process that requires us to stay up to speed with what’s happening in tech.”
During the board discussion, Trustee James Rickard cited existing district policies governing administrative discretion, computer resources, internet safety and acceptable technology use. He questioned some of the recent changes in classroom practices, including restrictions on when students can use school-issued Chromebooks.
The district, Rickard said, should ensure that teachers receive appropriate training and have the flexibility to use technology effectively, while maintaining a balance between active digital learning and traditional instruction.
“We’ve just got to keep the focus on learning,” Rickard said, “and make sure that our teachers feel supported in teaching the students in the way they feel is best for their classrooms.”
Superintendent Francesco Ianni said the district has been reviewing its technology practices following community roundtable discussions. One change has been the decision to stop sending Chromebooks home with third-graders, which he said was supported by district staff and administrators.
Ianni also explained that the district’s approach is intended to introduce technology progressively as students advance through the grades. He cited the need to prepare students for computer-based testing by the end of third grade while ensuring that they have access to educational resources.
“The most important thing is that we need to find the balance,” Ianni said.
He added that the district’s tech presentation would address concerns raised by parents and board members. The district also plans to use the Nov. 16 parent university to demonstrate classroom learning and encourage families to speak directly with educators and administrators.
Trustee AnneMarie Longo asked Ianni to provide a grade-by-grade explanation of which programs and devices are used at Theodore Roosevelt and Vernon schools, how practices have changed since last year, and how the district evaluates the costs and benefits of its educational technology.
Longo said that clearer communication could help address confusion among parents about whether devices and learning programs are being used in younger grades. She also suggested demonstrating the programs so families can better understand how they support reading, math and science instruction.
Ianni agreed to include that information in the upcoming presentation, which board members said should provide a thorough overview of the district’s practices and plans.
