DPS board approves modest annual technology fee for district Chromebooks, with waivers for families in need

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education approved an annual technology fee on Wednesday to offset the rising repair and replacement costs for district‑issued Chromebooks.

Paul Mitchell, executive director of information technology, told trustees the department is facing rising repair bills, a high proportion of devices out of warranty and a growing number of lost or missing devices. “This fee is a small but important piece in the broader sustainability puzzle,” he told the board, recommending a modest annual fee of $15 for elementary students and $30 for middle and high school students.

Mitchell said device‑sustainability numbers drove the proposal: he reported that roughly 78% of district Chromebooks are now out of warranty; the district has about 1,400 devices reported missing or lost (Mitchell described the aggregate replacement exposure as “over half a million dollars” worth of inventory). The…