Broward’s youngest students face new limits on screen time and AI
South Florida Sun Sentinel | By: Scott Travis | July 29, 2026
Broward’s youngest students could soon be spending less time in front of screens at district schools.
The Broward School Board took steps this week to try to combat the possible effects of artificial intelligence and excessive use of technology.
Board members voted Tuesday to limit the screen time of pre-K through first-grade students to “only what is necessary for state-mandated testing and/or accommodations for students with special needs.” This was an amended version of a proposal from Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi, who proposed that the restriction go up to the second grade.
“I don’t believe in eliminating technology altogether in our schools, and that’s not what this item is saying,” Leonardi told the board. “This item is not saying that we want to take away digital resources from our youngest students. This item is about balancing what I think has swung to one end of the pendulum.”
Board members also agreed to restrict most use of AI chatbots for all elementary school students. And they have directed Superintendent Howard Hepburn to implement software in district-issued devices to catch any concerning use in any grade level, such as students wanting to harm themselves or others. The information should be sent to the District Security Operations Center in real time for review, the board agreed.
Board members also discussed during the same meeting Tuesday whether to renew a contract for a software program called i-Ready the district uses to monitor students’ proficiency in reading and math. Most board members agreed to continue using it.
For most of the past year, the school district has boasted about being a pioneer in technology. A year ago, the district partnered with Microsoft for what was described as the company’s largest AI implementation in the country. The district also bought laptops this past year to distribute to all K-12 students.
But in recent weeks, parents and School Board members have voiced concerns that technology may be doing more harm than good, especially for young students, hurting their attention span, social skills and even eyesight. Several parents spoke in favor Tuesday of the technology restrictions.
“Young children learn best from responsive teachers, play, movement, conversation, books, handwriting, creative activities, and hands-on exploration,” Davie parent Kiersten Hope, a leader of a group called Schools Beyond Screens, told the School Board. “Devices may serve a limited purpose, but they should not displace human relationships and developmentally appropriate experiences that form the foundation of early learning.”
But not everyone supported the restrictions. Several principals spoke at Tuesday’s meeting voicing support for using i-Ready and other technology in elementary grades, saying these resources help get students ready for computerized tests and help with their learning skills.
“When we think about limiting that type of a resource or taking away that time, it definitely decreases their ability to take those assessments,” Cormic Priester, principal of Rock Island Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, told the School Board. “When you are teaching something, you need to let them practice the way they’re going to play the game. We don’t play football with hockey sticks.”
Board member Debbi Hixon voted against the screen-time restrictions, saying she believes the district’s use of technology has helped it achieve an A grade for three straight years.
“It’s not popular to say this, but I will. The teachers are phenomenal, and the teachers really get us there, but we had the same teachers three years ago, and we couldn’t quite make that A, and we made some adjustments,” Hixon said. “We gave them some professional development and helped them with the software, and now we’re seeing more proficiency in our students.”
Board member Adam Cervera disagreed. He held up a paper notebook and a pack of pencils to say he wants to see those used more than technology.
“I just want to make sure that we’re very clear that it’s the people in the classroom that bring us the A ratings, not these computer programs,” he said.
Cervera also raised concerns about one program, in particular, i-Ready. The School District also voted Tuesday on whether to renew a contract with i-Ready provider Curriculum Associates, for use of the program in grades 2-5.
Cervera shared that the company is the subject of a lawsuit filed in Massachusetts.
The lawsuit alleges that Curriculum Associates “creates detailed data profiles of students that are used to predict and influence their behavior and guide decision-making about them. It further uses that information for commercial purposes, including developing, marketing, and delivering its own products,” and shares that data with third parties.
“I would never suggest that they’ve been found liable at this point, but here’s my takeaway from this lawsuit. If 5% of the allegations are true in this complaint, we need to be running from the hills from this company,” Cervera, a lawyer, told the board.
Following questions from district officials, Curriculum Associates CEO Kelly Sia sent a letter on July 23 to the School Board defending the company.
“Lawsuits of this kind have become more common across the education technology sector, including against several of our peers in the industry,” she wrote. “The claims being made against Curriculum Associates are meritless, and we are defending ourselves vigorously.”
She added, “we do not sell student data, do not use student information for advertising and do not build commercial profiles of students.”
Sia also wrote, “If the outcome of this lawsuit negatively impacts our ability to serve your district, we will refund the annualized value of your current i-Ready contract.”
The board voted 6-2 to approve the new contract, with Cervera and Nora Rupert voting no, and Lori Alhadeff being absent.
