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MILL HALL -- After questions arose from members of staff during public comment, the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors tabled the purchase of 35 laptop storage carts for the 2026-2027 school year.
The item was moved to the top of the board's agenda at its voting session Thursday night when Tyler Barth, principal at Robb Elementary School, and Ashley Gilmore, a teacher at Woodward Elementary School, spoke about the proposed purchase.
Barth said he'd have requested to speak prior to the meeting, but wasn't aware of the decision to purchase these carts.
He questioned the agenda item, which stated "with the recommendation of administration" to approve the purchase.
"As a building-level principal, I was not aware of the intention to go away from 1-to-1 devices as a final decision," Barth told the board. "Which ultimately impacts scheduling, preparation and planning for the 26-27 school year."
He asked the board if the purchase of the carts was a way to remove the 1-to-1 initiative, which he said is integral to the learning environment in this day and age.
He further noted a survey was sent out at the end of the year by Director of Curriculum and Innovation, Dr. Megan Hull, sent out to teachers for grades kindergarten through second. He reminded the board that it doesn't encompass all grade levels that could be impacted, which is kindergarten through fourth.
He further requested more discussion about the possible purchase and how it could affect the current education structure for the elementary level.
"I can tell you as a building level administrator, the Chromebook access is a critical component of our educational process. It's not just a luxury, or a video machine," Barth said.
Gilmore said she was concerned how the possible removal of 1-to-1 education could impact equity, hygiene and the logistics behind shared computers.
"While I completely understand and respect the need for fiscal responsibility, moving away from 1-to-1 devices will severely disrupt classroom management, equity and student learning," she said.
She noted the need to clean keyboards, troubleshoot any technology issues and manage log ings for students would cut into learning time in her classroom.
She particularly emphasized how the 1-to-1 instruction has helped her students grow and learn no matter where they are on their academic journey.
"In any given kindergarten class you have students who don't yet know the alphabet sitting next to students who are already reading chapter books. The benefit of 1-to-1 adaptive programs automatically level itself to each child," Gilmore said.
In the 2025-2026 school year, she said her classroom of 25 students started the year with 76 percent at a Pre-K level of education.
"At the end of the school year 56 percent of my students finished above their grade level. Computers alone did not do this but the accessibility and consistency of the devices served as a tremendous support for all of my learners," she said.
She added, as a parent of three children at KCSD, she understands there can often be a digital divide between families.
"For some families in the district the district-issued device is the only reliable technology that a child has," she said. "A 1-to-1 device isn't a distraction or a luxury. It's a critical text book, personalized tutor and an essential tool for modern education. Transitioning to a shared system is a step backwards for our classroom and our community."
Following public comment, Board member Dr. Bill Baldino motioned to have the agenda item regarding laptop cart purchases be moved ahead.
"While they're still fresh in our minds," he said.
The motion was unanimously approved and followed by Baldino motioning to table the decision until more information could be gathered.
"Both Miss. Gilmore and Mr. Barth made compelling presentations in my opinion. I would think that the wise thing to do would be to simply defer this, table it, and come back later after we get more information," he said, suggesting it be moved to the curricular/co-curricular committee which meets on Monday.
Board member Chris Scaff noted the potential purchase of laptops has been discussed at nearly every board meeting since March, with former Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon indicating the administration on all levels was aware of the possibility.
He told the board the information has been shared with each member as it's come available over time.
"I have emailed all the board and the administration a lot of the stuff we had found on it. It's not going to be a huge savings, but this isn't about making it a 1-to-1 deal," Scaff said. "We're looking at repairs, big time costs, the carts, and the IT teams feel that having the computers here in the carts at night will save a lot of damage."
Board members Rich Wykoff, who seconded the motion to table, Roger Kshir, Vice President John Miller and President Elisabeth Lynch all said they'd be okay with tabling the motion. Board members Manny Rodriguez, Jason Smith and Shelby Bohartz were absent from the meeting.
"I'm interested in hearing more about these surveys. I read the emails and I understand what you're saying, Chris. I respect what's been done so far," Wykoff said. But it sounds like there's still a disconnect, but it seems that the discussion amongst staff has not been enough time and consideration given."
Lynch agreed that it seems there was a disconnect somewhere.
"I have been following all of the work that's been going on and I see there is value in this. I also see there may have been a disconnect in communication. I had no idea a survey went out," she said.
Kshir said he wanted to see more data from surveys that encompasses all grade levels that would see an impact.
Miller said he was also interested in learning more about remote learning days and what it means regarding the use of computers and instructional time.
Lynch asked Interim-Superintendent Dr. Alan Lonoconus what his thoughts were on the issue.
Lonoconus said he couldn't provide any real direction due to beginning his role on July 1.
"I guess the best thing I can say is an analogy on my part -- I feel like I'm coming in the middle part of a movie. I don't know the plot, I don't know the characters, I know what's going on right now. So I really can't give you a professional opinion at this point," he said.
He did, however, recommend the board consider moving the purchase to the 2027-2028 school year instead of sticking with a plan to purchase them for 2026-2027.
"Depending on what happens out of committee, professionally looking at this if there's still that many questions involved in this process I don't think you want to spend ($48,650) and then find out you missed something or it created a big whole that we're not going to have the resources or staff to fill," he said. "
Following discussion, the purchase was tabled.