Socorro ISD board approves purchase of student devices to replace aging inventory

The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 8 approved an additional purchase of student devices to replenish and replace aging Chromebooks and Windows laptops used in the district's 1:1 program.

The board approved the purchase after a recommendation from Alice Ramos, the district’s chief technology officer, who told trustees the procurement will expand the district’s device inventory and replace devices that are at end-of-life. Ramos said the purchase is funded from "various funding sources" and is intended only for students, not employees.

Ramos said there are not currently students waiting on devices because of this specific purchase, but the new shipment will allow the district to replace devices collected over the summer and maintain a supply to roll out as needed. She cautioned that deliveries and replacement timing are contingent on vendor supply.

Trustee Miss Macias moved to approve the purchase; Trustee Woodcraft seconded the motion. The board voted by voice and the motion passed.

The approval authorizes staff to proceed with procurement through the stated cooperative purchasing vehicle (listed on the agenda as "Cope Region 19 allied states, doing technology device and components"). The purchase was described as Chromebooks and Windows laptops and limited to student distribution. No dollar amount or vendor name was provided during the discussion.

Trustees did not request an itemized delivery schedule during the public board discussion, and staff said they are still assessing devices collected over the summer to determine the exact rollout schedule. The board took no additional direction beyond approving the purchase as presented.