District news
Board backs pen and paper over screens

What happened
After a screen-time report, the board unanimously said it supports using pen and paper as often as possible in class, with screens only when necessary. In August the policy committee chose not to change high school phone rules for 2026-27, saying phone use had improved and administration should enforce current rules.
Why it matters to families
It signals a lasting shift in how much time students spend on devices in class and what the district expects for phones.
The evidence
The July board meeting recap and the August 12 policy committee recording both discuss the decision.
The source
July 2026 board meeting 60-second recapSee the full record for Watertown Unified School District.
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