Town applied $60,000 digital-equity grant to buy roughly 2,240 Chromebooks for North Andover students

The School Committee on Aug. 28 recognized a $60,000 municipal digital equity implementation grant awarded to the Town of North Andover by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. The town elected to direct the funds toward purchasing Chromebooks for North Andover Public Schools.

A district presenter said the town’s select board has formally accepted the award and the funds will be used to purchase devices that will supplement the district’s existing device program. The presenter told the committee the grant will allow the district to acquire roughly 2,240 additional Chromebooks. Committee members discussed how the devices will be deployed: the district will maintain the existing model of a shared cart for approximately every two classrooms while using new equipment to expand device availability in elementary grades, particularly grades 4 and 5. The presenter also reported a potential donation of roughly 300 additional Chromebooks from an outside organization, pending finalization.

Committee members thanked the town and the select board for pursuing the award and for directing the funding toward the schools. The committee treated the item as a recognition and expression of thanks rather than a formal acceptance vote, noting the select board had accepted the grant for the town. The committee asked staff to confirm device counts and deployment plans and to provide parents with details as devices are distributed.