The Addison SD 4 Board of Education approved a four‑year lease Wednesday to purchase Chromebooks and related devices for students and paraprofessionals, authorizing a $1,815,286 agreement with Providence Capital and annual payments of $500,559 at a 5.49% interest rate.

District staff presented the financing as a way to smooth cash flow while updating thousands of devices. The purchase covers student Chromebooks, loaner inventory and paraprofessional devices; staff devices and teacher refresh cycles are scheduled on different timetables. Administration said remarketing of returned devices and a new device lifecycle plan will help fund future refresh cycles.

Board members voiced concerns about the interest rate and the decision to lease rather than pay outright. One board member said financing “is frustrating” given the cost; others noted time constraints required a quick procurement and that procurement and lease terms could be shopped more broadly in the future. Administration responded that timing and vendor availability constrained options this year but that future cycles would be staggered and budgeted differently.

The board moved and seconded the lease approval (motion by Jeremiah, second by Tasso), and the motion carried on a roll‑call vote. Staff said proceeds from remarketing older devices would be applied to future refresh costs, and that the district had sought to minimize disruption to students by ensuring devices arrive before the school year.