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Board agenda lists $1.45M Chromebook purchase and device transition plan for K-8
Summary
The technology report listed purchases including 3,100 Chromebooks ($1,450,800, including a $468,000 grant), 1,250 Lenovo laptops ($1,442,000) for future ninth-graders, and 21 Epson interactive systems ($348,000); the district plans to transition K-8 to Chromebooks ahead of required online state assessments.
Director Ralph presented the technology action report, which included three major procurement items intended to complete device rollouts across district grade levels.
Ralph said the board was being asked to approve the purchase of 21 Epson interactive projection systems for classrooms at East and half of STEM at a total cost of $348,000. He also listed a proposed purchase of 3,100 Lenovo Chromebooks for middle and elementary students with a total purchase price of $1,450,800; Ralph said that amount includes $468,000 in grant funding and that the district's net expected outlay is $982,000. The Chromebooks would provide third graders with devices at no additional cost to families.
Ralph reported a separate purchase of 1,250 Lenovo laptops for high school students entering ninth grade in the 2025'26 school year at a total cost of $1,442,000. He said the long-term plan is to standardize on Chromebooks for K-8 and eventually for incoming ninth graders to ensure device continuity.
Ralph and other speakers explained the district accelerated Chromebook deployment in part because, beginning next school year, Pennsylvania will require state assessments to be administered online. One board member noted testing on iPads is more cumbersome, and the district cited the Chromebook rollout as a way to streamline assessment administration.
The transcript records the proposed purchases and associated dollar amounts but does not include motions or voting results in the excerpt provided.
