Shortly after the school district received a letter of complaint from the ACLU regarding the district’s iPad program the ACLU filed a complaint with Mass education officials over what they are calling a discriminatory policy. The ACLU claims the district allows low-income middle school students who qualify for free or reduced price lunches to take school-provided iPads home with them, while students who choose not to purchase an iPad can only access school provided iPads in school.
According to MURSD Superintendent Dr. Maruszczak the original complaint filed with the ACLU was made by one parent in the district regarding MGL Ch. 71 ss 48 which covers text books and school supplies.
Dr. Maruszczak advised Upton Daily a considerable portion of the School Committee meeting scheduled for August 25 will be dedicated to a substantive discussion of the ACLU’s complaint. Dr. Maruszczak said, “School Committee members will assess our existing policy and if necessary, will make changes to it to ensure that we’re meeting both the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.” Dr. Maruszczak also said, “I think I can safely speak for the six members of the Committee in stating that it remains very important that we work with all families and give different, flexible options for iPad usage. That has been the intent since the program’s inception and it will continue to be moving forward.”
UPTON DAILY 