Larkspur-Corte Madera School District tries new tack on tech

Don't expect students in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District to come right home with iPads or Chromebooks this fall.

Students and staff will instead prioritize relationships, routines and school culture for the first eight days of the 2026-27 school year, said Brett Geithman, the superintendent. The district has about 1,165 students at two elementary schools and a middle school.

All entering sixth-graders at Hall Middle School will be asked to read "The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World," by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price. The book aims to help children navigate life in the digital age.

Before the students receive their devices, they will attend lessons on responsible technology use.

"Our goal is to find the right balance between use of tech and non-tech time," Geithman said in a video post. "The ultimate goal is to accelerate and enhance student outcomes."

The efforts come as parents, educators and lawmakers take steps to incorporate technology and artificial intelligence in schools in a way that avoids abuses, addiction threats and dangerous mental health outcomes for youths.

"As a parent working in public education, I know this topic is a significant priority for families and educators right now," said Beth Blair, vice president of the Larkspur-Corte Madera board of trustees. "I am grateful our district is engaging in this collaborative effort to support our students' future."

Blair is also the trustees' representative on the new Larkspur-Corte Madera technology committee. About 70 residents and staff have joined.

"We are fortunate to have so many parents and staff members willing to volunteer their time to help shape the future of technology in our district," Blair said.

This spring, students, staff and parents attended a series of sessions to offer the district comments on technology use and instructional practices.

"Focus groups included students in grades one through eight, parent representatives across grade spans and staff members from throughout the district," Geithman said.

More than 100 people participated, and another 700 responded to a survey on tech use, Geithman said.

"The tech task force is a strong example of this broad stakeholder engagement," Blair said.

She said the committee is "bringing people together to review research while sharing their hopes, concerns and questions."

Elsewhere in Marin, the Tamalpais Union High School District recently approved the mandatory use of locking cellphone cases for students in order to launch phone-free school days starting in the fall.

California Assembly Bill 3216, approved in 2024, requires local education agencies to develop and adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting student smartphone use. The bill takes effect on July 1.

Superintendent Courtney Goode said he has been offering workshops at the high schools in recent days to help ease the transition to the new policy.

At the Novato Unified School District, educators said they are getting ready to enact new artificial intelligence guidelines, after a year of staff surveys and research.

"Students see AI as technology they'll need in life, school, and business," said Julie Synyard, educational services director, at the presentation on May 19. "And they're asking for consistent guidelines and guidance on how to use it well."

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