The DeKalb CUSD 428 Board on Dec. 16 approved a district technology procurement and several staffing requests aimed at expanding student support and instructional capacity.

Technology purchase: A district technology presenter outlined a purchase of 1,700 Chromebooks at $530.50 per device, including a four-year accidental-damage warranty, management licensing and cases, for a total quoted price of $901,850. The presenter said partnerships and timing saved the district roughly $8.50 per device compared with prior pricing and warned that delaying the purchase could raise costs by an estimated 15 percent.

Athletic trainer staffing: The board approved creating a 200-day athletic trainer position (in-house at DeKalb High School) after discussing recent reliance on Northwestern Medicine contractors. Staff reported contracted costs of about $31,790 for prior service periods; the proposed full-time positions salary and benefits could approach $86,000 annually. Supporters said a permanent trainer better meets the needs of an expanded athletics program and would reduce missed instructional time when students require care during the day.

Drivers education staffing: The board also approved increasing drivers-education staffing (transcript references a move from a 0.4 arrangement toward a larger FTE) to address long-standing capacity gaps for behind-the-wheel hours and to prevent a backlogged cohort of students.

Why it matters: The Chromebook purchase supports the districts 1:1 device initiative and is time sensitive given supply and price volatility. The athletic-trainer position and drivers-education staffing are intended to meet demonstrated operational needs—providing on-site care for student athletes and resolving a multi-year backlog in drivers-education completion.

Whats next: Technology procurement and staffing approvals will proceed through the typical contract and HR processes. Budget impact and ongoing cost comparisons with contracting options were discussed and will be managed by Business Services.

Quotes from the meeting:
"For this rotation cycle, we are looking at 1,700 devices... the total is $901,850 for these devices." (Speaker 11)
"Were going from $31,000 to $86,000" (Speaker 12, describing cost comparison between prior contracted coverage and proposed full-time athletic trainer).

The board approved the items by roll call and moved on to other agenda business.