District presents first‑grade Chromebook pilot results; board to consider purchase in March

Minooka CCSD 201 administrators and teachers presented results from a first‑grade Chromebook pilot and said the district plans to bring a formal purchase recommendation to the board in March.

Haley Bizon, district technology coach, and Mary Jo Botnick, a first‑grade teacher at Wallen Trails, described month‑long pilots across several schools in which touchscreen Chromebooks replaced iPads for first‑grade instruction. “My students loved using the Chromebooks and started using the keyboard more than the touchscreen,” Botnick said after a pilot at Minneka/Manuka Elementary School. Bizon described a seamless rollout and said parents reported the devices were easy for students to use.

Teachers reported higher student engagement during assessment and instructional blocks, and one teacher said first‑grade students using Chromebooks met or exceeded projected MAP growth at higher rates than comparison groups in the small sample presented. Presentation materials and pilot‑period parent surveys showed nearly all parents agreed their child found the touchscreen Chromebooks easy to use and could access applications at home with minimal assistance.

District staff noted two tradeoffs raised by families: Chromebooks are heavier than iPads (about 3.5 pounds versus 1.8 pounds), and district staff will need to provide training and support. Souza said media teachers and technology staff will lead training; Bizon said the district will provide training resources and in‑class support. Staff also discussed options such as enabling a blue‑light or “night” display mode for home use and coaching families about screen time.

The board did not vote on a purchase tonight. Administration said it will return in March with a formal recommendation and pricing for board consideration.

Votes at a glance: No vote taken; formal purchase recommendation scheduled for March.