Board approves consent agenda including staff device refresh; district explains new Chromebook "plus" teacher model

At the July 21 meeting, the Belton ISD board approved the consent agenda (vote recorded as passing 6'0to'0), which included several procurement items for instructional and staff devices. During discussion prior to the vote, staff explained that the purchases include a staff device refresh with three device categories: MacBooks, PCs and a newly released "Chromebook Plus" teacher model. Technology staff said Chromebook Plus devices include an i5-class processor, 16 GB of RAM and a touchscreen/stylus; the district is piloting Class Tools, a Chrome-based teacher management feature that lets instructors control and limit student Chromebook access during lessons. The technology team said teachers who prefer Mac or PC may continue to receive those devices; the Chromebook Plus option is being pushed because of the new Class Tools features that support in-class instructional control. Board members asked questions about price comparisons and the procurement process; technology staff explained staffing and feature differences and said Chromebooks are generally less expensive than MacBooks or PCs but that teacher-model Chromebooks chosen for this refresh have higher specifications and include styluses for instructional use. The consent agenda item passed with the other consent items.