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Board considers 1-to-1 device plan and fee options after state testing requirement changes
Summary
District technology staff reviewed multi-year 1-to-1 device proposals, three fee-share options for families and the district, staffing needs for device management, and the link between device plans and NTI (remote-learning) capability and state testing requirements.
Oldham County technology staff presented three 1-to-1 device proposals and fee scenarios at the Sept. 9 special work session, telling the board the district must decide soon if it wants to implement a multi-year device plan that would provide a managed Chromebook or tablet for students.
Staff outlined three payment options they studied: (A) parents pay about $110 per device per year; (B) parents pay $55 and the district covers $55; or (C) parents pay a small insurance fee (about $25) and the district covers the full device cost and insurance. Staff presented rough cost models showing initial-year district outlays ranging from about $948,000 to more than $1.2 million depending on the option and the chosen rollout speed. Staff also said the district already collects a $100 technology fee this year, which produces roughly $1.2 million in total across the district.
Technology presenters and board members emphasized operational requirements beyond purchasing devices. They recommended an instructional-support team to help teachers integrate devices and proposed hiring three classified technicians (roughly one per high school campus) to manage deployment, repairs and software. Staff said device rollout needs a teacher-training plan to avoid devices becoming “the only thing” in instruction.
Staff noted a recent state testing requirement change: students must use district-managed devices for state testing software, so personal devices cannot be relied on for assessments. That change increased urgency for a decision because the district must ensure enough managed devices for testing days.
Board members asked whether the district should limit take-home devices by grade. Presenters suggested a phased approach: kindergarten and early elementary use shared classroom devices or stations; consider take-home devices starting in sixth grade and prioritize third–fifth grade classroom access. Staff warned about screen-time considerations for younger students and said kindergarten teachers more often use iPads or shared devices rather than take-home Chromebooks.
Several board members signaled support for a limited, phased rollout and asked staff to return with fee details and an implementation plan by January so devices could be ordered in time for spring registration. Staff said online registration in March is the window to collect any device/insurance fees.
No formal vote was taken.
