Anne Arundel Schools: Superintendent Launches Six-Week Town Hall Series on Tech Rules

Anne Arundel County Public Schools is moving to formalize its stance on digital technology after years of informal usage in classrooms. Superintendent Mark Bedell began a series of public forums on Tuesday, October 27, to gather direct feedback on two specific proposals: a new framework for artificial intelligence instruction and a ban on personal electronic devices during the school day. These rules are currently in a draft stage and have generated considerable debate among local residents. The district is using these sessions to finalize the language before the board votes on the policies.

The timeline for these changes began when the Anne Arundel County School Board introduced the initial AI parameters. Simultaneously, the board proposed the restriction on cell phones, smartwatches, and other personal electronics. The combination of these two issues created a focal point for community discussion. Bedell stated that the district wanted to avoid the common scenario where families learn about a new policy only after it has been implemented. He noted that parents frequently attend school board meetings to express that they did not have a prior opportunity to weigh in on the decisions.

The first session took place at a high school in the county. Attendees were divided into small groups to facilitate detailed conversation. Bedell explained that the format was designed to create a more intimate environment than a traditional public comment period. He said, "I wanted to make sure that we got out into the community to look people in the face in the go and have some intimate time with them to say to them we really do want your we really do want your thoughts." This approach allows the administration to hear specific concerns from teachers, parents, and students rather than just general applause or opposition.

A central point of contention is the role of AI in education. Bedell argued that students must become proficient users of the technology rather than passive recipients. He stated, "So we want our kids to be excellent users over AI rather than AI being excellent users of them." The superintendent emphasized that the district must balance traditional teaching methods with the need to prepare students for a workforce that will interface with AI. The goal is to determine how much AI integration is appropriate for different grade levels and subjects.

The second major issue is the ban on personal electronics. The proposal would take effect next school year. Bedell provided data on student time to justify the rule. He said, "We only have the kids from 19.3% of the week I need the 19.3% dedicated to us focusing on teaching and learning they have 81% of the time when they can decide how they wanna leverage their technology but while they're in our schools and that's what the law is saying, we need our kids to engage in collaboration." The district argues that removing devices during school hours will force students to interact directly with one another.

The district has scheduled six additional sessions to continue the process. Each meeting is set for 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The next session is on Monday, November 2, at Glen Burnie High School. On Thursday, November 5, the forum will move to Northeast High School. Arundel High School will host the next gathering on Tuesday, November 10. Southern High School is set for Thursday, November 12. The series continues on Tuesday, November 17, at Annapolis High School. The final session is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, at Meade High School.

Bedell urged families who cannot attend one of the specific high school locations to share the schedule with other households. He described the topics as highly controversial and requested that the community help convey the need for participation to other families. The input gathered during these weeks will inform the final version of the policies presented to the school board.

The district has not announced a specific date for the final board vote on these proposals. The superintendent indicated that the process is designed to ensure that the final policies reflect the expectations of the community. The next public opportunity for residents to provide feedback is at Glen Burnie High School on November 2.