Update: KSDE Blue Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time

Join us for our November webinar on November 13th at 7 pm (CDT) when we hear from two members of the KSDE Blue Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time.

Panelists will provide general information they have learned from their service on the Blue Ribbon Task force. The goal is for school boards to be better informed to make the decisions that best serve students in their districts regarding student screen time.  

In July, the KSDE established a thirty-six member Blue Ribbon Task Force charged with reviewing research and discussing the issues that will form the basis for a recommended policy regarding the non-academic use of cell phones and other technology by Pre-K-12 Kansas students. Recommendations are expected to be released to the KDE in November and voted on by the State Board in December.

The task force is focused on the use of personal devices in schools, parental oversight of district-issued devices and screen time and mental health. The task force has heard from parents, superintendents, principals, teachers, KSDE staff, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, IT staff and has reviewed research on the impact of time students spent on digital devices and student learning.

Panelists will not offer recommendations and will not speak as representatives of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Kansas Department of Education, their constituencies or districts.

Minutes of the Blue Ribbon Task Force weekly meetings can be found here: Blue Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time (ksde.org)

Panelists:

Danny Zeck, State Board member District 1 Leavenworth

Mr. Zeck began his term on the Kansas State Board of Education in 2023. Mr. Zeck was born and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas where he owned a car dealership in Leavenworth for 30 years. He has been active in his community, serving on the Leavenworth School Board for 16 years and also as a volunteer for Catholic Charities and St. George Servian Orthodox church for 30 years. He and his wife, Dinah, are the proud parents of two sons who attended Leavenworth School system, and a grandfather of five grandchildren. Mr. Zeck is known for his integrity, standing for honest accountability and transparency for students and parents in Kansas public schools.

Dr. Troy Pitsch, Superintendent, Wabaunsee USD 329

Dr. Troy Pitsch began his tenure as Superintendent of Wabaunsee USD 329 at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. He brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, having previously served as an Instructional Improvement Officer for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, where he supervised multiple high schools and alternative campuses. Dr. Pitsch started his career as a middle school history teacher in Texas before moving into educational administration. He earned his PhD in Educational Policy and Planning from the University of Texas. His leadership has been marked by a strong focus on academic achievement, community engagement, and integrating programs like “Leader in Me” to support student success. Dr. Pitsch is honored to be a member of the Kansas State Board of Education’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, where he contributes his expertise to address critical issues like cell phone use in schools.