The district's answers, next to what families see

We asked the district direct questions about Chromebooks, screen time, generative AI, and how these decisions get made. On the left are their answers, in their own words, with the date and source noted. On the right are the experiences families have actually had. We are not editorializing. We are putting the two side by side and letting you read both.

Prefer the complete record? Read all 30 questions and the district's full answers, with our response to each →

The district said

Asked what measurable outcomes have improved since going 1:1 (June 3, 2026, Q8):

"To assign any credit for increases or decreases on these tests because of 1 to 1 devices would not be realistic."

What families see

[Family experience to pair here. For example, a parent who was told the program improves learning, or who has watched homework become busywork on a screen. Anonymous. Joanna to insert.]

The district said

Asked whether parents can see their own child's device-usage data (June 3, 2026, Q7):

"At this time, we do not provide this information to families."

What families see

[Family experience to pair here. For example, a parent who asked to see what their child had been doing on the Chromebook and was turned away. Anonymous. Joanna to insert.]

The district said

Asked when and how the district decided 6th grade was the right point to send devices home, and what data was used (June 3, 2026, Q13):

"I have reached out to the former director of technology to see if there was an articulated plan."

What families see

[Family experience to pair here. For example, a 6th-grade family who assumed the take-home rule was a considered decision. Anonymous. Joanna to insert.]

The district said

On how much time students spend on the device (June 3, 2026, Q3 and Q6). The figure counts how long a device is "turned on and logged in within a 24 hour period," averaged over a full day, and "includes time outside of the school day":

"Between an hour and two hours over the course of a 24-hour day."

What families see

[Family experience to pair here. For example, a parent's own observation of how many hours of actual screen time a child has during the school day. Anonymous. Joanna to insert.]

The district said

On generative AI in student accounts, after a parent flagged that Google Gemini was on (June 12, 2026, from the IT director):

"Having generative AI available to our students and staff was an intentional district decision." The district later wrote that it "has made the decision to block Google Gemini for students in grades K-7."

What families see

[Family experience to pair here. For example, a parent who never consented to a 13+ AI tool on a child's device, or learned of it only by checking themselves. Anonymous. Joanna to insert.]

Every quotation above is taken from the district's own written responses and emails, with the date noted. If we have placed a quote in a way the district feels is unfair, we will gladly correct it. The family experiences are real and shared by New Paltz parents, kept anonymous to protect children.