McLean-pyramid fourth-graders will spend another year reading their social studies textbook on a screen, even as the Fairfax County School Board says it wants kids using devices less.

The board voted Tuesday to extend a $175,000 contract with Five Ponds Press Books for the digital textbook "Our Virginia: Past and Present," keeping the hybrid curriculum in place for the 2026-27 school year. The same night, members passed a separate resolution calling for screen-time limits by grade level and opt-out options for families.

Why the extension happened

Budget cuts forced the board's hand. A budget shortfall estimated at $28 million delayed FCPS's planned transition from the digital textbook to print copies, according to FFXnow. Without enough print textbooks to go around, the district opted to keep the digital version for fourth-graders countywide, including students at Churchill Road, Franklin Sherman, Kent Gardens and other McLean-area elementary schools.

The one-year contract extension with Five Ponds Press Books provides electronic book access and digital social studies materials for all FCPS fourth-grade classrooms. The $175,000 price tag covers the full 2026-27 school year.

Two votes, opposite directions

The two actions taken the same night pull in opposite directions. The screen-time resolution supports limiting device access by grade level and giving families the option to opt out of certain technology use. The contract extension locks in a digital textbook for an entire grade level for at least another year.

Other large districts, including Los Angeles Unified, have moved to restrict classroom screen time in 2026.

Families can monitor the board's agenda and upcoming meeting dates at boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax.