School Board Meeting Summary – PASCO – July 28, 2026

Community Meeting Summary

Meeting Information

• Public Body: District School Board of Pasco County
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Body: Board of Education
• Meeting Title: Workshop Session - Jul 28 2026
• Meeting Date: 07-28-2026
• Meeting Type: Work Session
• City: Land O' Lakes
• County: Pasco County
• State: florida
• Meeting Source URL: https://pasco-k12-fl.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=461
• Meeting Listing URL: https://pasco-k12-fl.community.diligentoneplatform.com/portal/
• Public Body Website: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/school_board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/live/YL5r-whXkCY
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg2EPgrZtxyZPdaprLgSqpQ

What Community Members Should Know

The District School Board of Pasco County held a work session focused on two major topics: a proposed instructional guidance document titled "Learning First: Limited Screens, Maximum Learning" and a legislative update covering the 2026 Florida legislative session. The meeting was informational in nature and was intended to provide board members with an opportunity to discuss district initiatives and receive updates rather than take formal action.

Most of the meeting centered on classroom technology use. District leadership explained that growing research suggests excessive passive screen time can negatively affect student learning, attention, engagement, and development. The proposed guidance does not seek to eliminate technology from classrooms. Instead, district leaders emphasized restoring balance by ensuring students first develop strong reading, writing, mathematics, critical thinking, and communication skills before relying heavily on digital tools.

Staff presented a guidebook developed by a district workgroup consisting of teachers, instructional coaches, principals, and district staff. The recommendations are designed as professional guidance rather than compliance requirements. Teachers would retain discretion while receiving clearer expectations about when technology adds instructional value and when traditional instruction should take priority.

Board members generally expressed support for the proposal while asking detailed questions about implementation. Discussion included how technology guidelines would work across different grade levels, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, collaborative learning, one-to-one device programs, accommodations for students with disabilities, English language learners, indoor recess, state testing requirements, and the continued importance of digital literacy for future careers.

Several board members emphasized that technology remains essential for modern education but should be used intentionally. They supported preserving direct teacher instruction, handwriting, discussion, collaboration, and productive struggle while avoiding passive or unnecessary screen use. Members also stressed that implementation should remain flexible enough to accommodate specialized coursework and students with documented accessibility needs.

The second half of the workshop consisted of a legislative briefing from Sunrise Consulting. Consultants summarized the recently completed Florida legislative session, multiple special sessions, the state budget process, and significant education legislation affecting school districts. Topics included school board governance, athletics, school safety, educator certification, autism training, curriculum requirements, counselor certification, school property reporting, and proposed property tax changes that could affect local governments if approved by voters.

No formal votes or board approvals were documented during the workshop. Instead, the meeting served to inform board members, gather feedback, and discuss how district staff should continue refining instructional guidance and preparing for implementation while monitoring changes in state law.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Learning First: Limited Screens, Maximum Learning

District staff presented a comprehensive instructional guide intended to help teachers make thoughtful decisions about classroom technology use.

The proposal is based on the principle that technology should strengthen instruction rather than replace direct teaching. Staff explained that foundational skills—including reading, writing, mathematics, note-taking, discussion, and critical thinking—should be mastered before students rely extensively on digital tools.

The workgroup reviewed educational research and developed recommendations emphasizing:

• Teacher-led instruction.
• Purposeful use of technology.
• Reduced passive screen time.
• Increased student interaction and discussion.
• Healthy digital habits.
• Strong foundational academic skills.

Staff repeatedly emphasized that this is not an effort to eliminate classroom technology or reverse existing technology investments. Rather, the goal is to improve instructional quality by ensuring technology is used for appropriate purposes such as research, collaboration, assessment, feedback, presentations, and skill reinforcement.

No formal adoption of the guidance occurred during this workshop.

Classroom Screen Time Guidance

The proposed guidance includes recommended average daily technology use that varies by grade level.

For younger students, technology should be minimized so instruction emphasizes phonics, handwriting, oral language, number sense, and teacher interaction.

Older students may appropriately spend more instructional time using technology for research, writing, collaboration, analysis, presentations, and creation of original work.

Board members discussed practical implementation questions, particularly how middle and high school teachers could coordinate technology use across multiple classes while maintaining flexibility for specialized courses.

District leadership described these recommendations as planning guidelines rather than mandatory compliance rules.

Teacher Instruction and Professional Judgment

Staff stressed that teachers remain central to instruction.

The guidance is intended to support professional decision-making rather than prescribe rigid classroom rules.

The document includes:

• Guiding principles.
• Best practices.
• Examples of appropriate technology use.
• Examples of inappropriate technology use.
• Guidance for students with disabilities.
• Guidance for English language learners.

Board members noted that many experienced teachers already use similar instructional approaches and suggested the document would be especially valuable for newer educators.

Classroom Discussion and Student Development

Board members discussed the educational importance of face-to-face communication, handwriting, note-taking, collaborative problem solving, and productive struggle.

Staff expressed concern that excessive passive technology use can reduce opportunities for students to develop interpersonal communication skills, active listening, collaboration, and independent thinking.

Examples were discussed where digital discussion boards may be appropriate outside class while in-person classroom discussions remain preferable during instructional time.

Technology, Accessibility, and Student Needs

Board members discussed several situations requiring flexibility.

These included:

• Students with disabilities who rely on assistive technology.
• English language learners.
• Students with motor disabilities.
• Advanced coursework.
• Career and technical education.
• State assessments.
• One-to-one computing initiatives.

Staff indicated that accommodations documented through IEPs or Section 504 plans would continue to guide technology use where appropriate.

Legislative Update

Sunrise Consulting summarized major education legislation enacted or considered during Florida's 2026 legislative session.

Topics included:

• Education policy changes.
• School board governance.
• School safety.
• Athletics.
• Professional learning.
• Educator certification.
• Counselor certification.
• School property reporting.
• Graduation requirements.
• Student health and safety.
• State budget negotiations.
• Property tax proposals.

The presentation was informational and did not require board action.

Votes, Decisions, and Direction

No verified motions, formal votes, resolutions, or approvals were documented during this work session.

Discussion focused on reviewing proposed instructional guidance and receiving informational presentations.

Board members provided feedback and asked questions regarding implementation, but the available meeting materials do not establish that any formal board action occurred.

Financial Matters

The legislative presentation summarized Florida's FY 2026-2027 state budget negotiations and explained differences among the Governor's proposal, House proposal, Senate proposal, and final budget agreement.

The discussion provided general information about statewide education funding and legislative priorities.

No district-specific budget amendments, contracts, purchases, grants, bids, or local financial approvals were documented during the workshop.

The legislative presentation also discussed proposed property tax reforms that could affect counties, municipalities, and special districts if approved by voters, but no district financial action was taken during this meeting.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The principal policy discussion involved the proposed instructional guide on technology use.

The guidance emphasizes:

• Technology supporting rather than replacing instruction.
• Prioritizing foundational academic skills.
• Encouraging intentional technology use.
• Supporting teacher professional judgment.
• Building healthy digital habits.

The legislative presentation also summarized recently enacted Florida laws affecting school governance, including legislation addressing school board member rights, athletics, educator certification, professional learning, student safety, curriculum requirements, counselor certification, and school property reporting.

No district policies were formally adopted during the meeting.

Reports, Presentations, and Updates

The meeting included two major presentations.

The first presentation introduced the "Learning First: Limited Screens, Maximum Learning" instructional guide. Staff explained the research supporting the recommendations, described the workgroup process, reviewed instructional best practices, and outlined proposed grade-level guidance for classroom technology use.

The second presentation provided a legislative update from Sunrise Consulting summarizing Florida's 2026 legislative session, special sessions, state budget negotiations, enacted education legislation, and pending statewide policy issues relevant to school districts.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The meeting materials do not document any personnel appointments, employment agreements, resignations, retirements, recognitions, or organizational restructuring.

The instructional workgroup was described as including teachers, instructional coaches, principals, and district staff who collaborated on developing the technology guidance.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Operational discussion focused on classroom instruction rather than construction or capital projects.

Topics included:

• Classroom technology deployment.
• One-to-one student devices.
• Teacher planning.
• Professional development.
• Classroom instructional practices.
• Technology integration.
• Student learning environments.

No construction projects, transportation initiatives, facilities projects, or capital improvements were discussed as action items.

Public Comment and Community Input

The available meeting materials do not document a public comment period or public testimony during this workshop.

Board members did reference concerns they have heard from parents regarding classroom technology use, online discussion boards, and student engagement, and these experiences informed portions of the discussion.

Questions and Answers

Board members asked numerous implementation questions throughout the workshop.

Topics included:

• Whether discovery-based learning remains compatible with the proposed guidance.
• How screen time recommendations would work across multiple middle and high school classes.
• Whether Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and specialized courses require flexibility.
• How one-to-one computing programs fit within the guidance.
• Appropriate classroom collaboration versus online discussion boards.
• Technology accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Technology support for English language learners.
• Indoor recess alternatives for elementary students.
• Technology needed for state assessments.
• Maintaining digital literacy while reducing unnecessary screen time.

District staff consistently responded that the document is intended as flexible instructional guidance rather than rigid compliance standards and that technology remains an important educational tool when used intentionally.

Community Impact

Students may experience increased emphasis on handwriting, reading physical texts, note-taking, discussion, collaboration, and teacher-led instruction before using digital tools.

Teachers may receive clearer instructional guidance while retaining professional discretion regarding classroom technology use.

Families may see greater consistency in expectations regarding screen time and classroom technology practices.

Students with disabilities and English language learners would continue receiving technology supports when appropriate under documented accommodations and instructional needs.

The legislative update helps prepare the district for changes in state education law that may affect district operations, governance, safety requirements, educator preparation, and instructional programs.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

• How will schools measure whether the new technology guidance improves student learning?
• How will teachers receive professional development on implementing the guidance?
• How much flexibility will schools have for specialized courses that require extensive technology use?
• How will classroom technology expectations be communicated to parents?
• How will implementation differ between elementary, middle, and high schools?
• How will accommodations for students with disabilities be maintained?
• How will English language learners continue receiving appropriate instructional technology supports?
• How will schools balance digital literacy with foundational academic skills?
• How will one-to-one device programs operate under the proposed guidance?
• Will the district review and revise the guidance as additional educational research becomes available?

Important Dates and Next Steps

• District staff are expected to continue preparing and supporting implementation of the "Learning First: Limited Screens, Maximum Learning" instructional guidance.
• Teachers will be encouraged to use the guidebook during instructional planning.
• Schools will continue integrating technology intentionally while emphasizing foundational academic skills.
• District leadership will continue monitoring state legislation enacted during the 2026 legislative session.
• Future board meetings may include additional updates regarding implementation and legislative impacts.

Key Takeaways

• The meeting was a work session focused on discussion rather than formal action.
• Technology guidance was the primary topic.
• District leaders emphasized balancing technology with foundational learning.
• Staff stated technology is not being eliminated from classrooms.
• The proposal encourages intentional rather than passive technology use.
• Direct teacher instruction remains the instructional priority.
• Reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking were emphasized.
• Handwriting and note-taking remain important instructional practices.
• Technology should reinforce—not replace—instruction.
• Grade-level guidance varies according to student developmental needs.
• Teachers retain professional judgment under the proposed guidance.
• Accessibility accommodations remain important for eligible students.
• English language learner supports remain part of the guidance.
• Board members generally supported the instructional direction.
• Members discussed flexibility for specialized courses.
• Discussion included one-to-one student devices.
• Face-to-face collaboration was emphasized.
• Healthy digital habits were identified as an instructional goal.
• Sunrise Consulting presented a legislative update.
• The legislative presentation reviewed the Florida budget process.
• Multiple education bills affecting school districts were summarized.
• Proposed property tax changes were discussed as statewide issues.
• No formal votes or approvals were verified.
• The meeting primarily provided direction and informational updates.
• Future implementation will occur through district instructional planning.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://pasco-k12-fl.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=461
• Meeting listing: https://pasco-k12-fl.community.diligentoneplatform.com/portal/
• Public body website: https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/school_board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/live/YL5r-whXkCY
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg2EPgrZtxyZPdaprLgSqpQ

About the Public Body

• Name: District School Board of Pasco County
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Land O' Lakes, florida
• County: Pasco County
• Provider: diligent-community

Keywords

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