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Danvers district reviews 1-to-1 Chromebook model, weighing costs and alternatives
Summary
District technology staff reviewed the 10-year 1-to-1 Chromebook program, usage metrics and the $35 accidental-damage fee and described next steps — surveys, listening groups and possible models such as lease-to-own or BYOD for certain grade levels.
District technology staff presented a review of Danvers Public Schools’ decade-old 1-to-1 Chromebook program and outlined options for the future, including maintaining the current district-issued Chromebook model, adopting a lease-to-own purchase for high school students, or exploring bring-your-own-device (BYOD) approaches.
The presenter told the committee that the district rolled out its first 1-to-1 initiative in 2015 and that device usage and cloud-based collaboration have grown substantially. He said the district currently charges a $35 annual insurance fee to cover accidental damage and that the Chromebooks now in use are higher-end convertible models with touchscreens.
Committee members asked about relative costs between Chromebooks and Apple devices; the presenter said the particular Chromebooks being purchased are not dramatically cheaper than iPads configured for testing compliance and that an Apple laptop would be more expensive but may offer different long-term value. He emphasized the instructional benefits of device consistency in classrooms and noted warranty and repair approaches differ across models.
Next steps include community and staff surveys, listening sessions, conversations with teachers and the Danvers Teachers Association, and consideration of fee and warranty structures if a lease or BYOD model were chosen. The presenter framed the review as aligning technology choices with the district’s strategic plan and the "portrait of a learner" competency goals.
