Board hears preliminary 2026-27 technology budget; Chromebook pricing, insurance and licensing discussed
Summary
District technology staff previewed the 2026-27 technology budget, citing software cost increases and higher device prices; board members questioned device pricing, insurance uptake and multi-year licensing options.
District technology staff presented the preliminary 2026-27 technology budget on Jan. 12, telling the board that two of the budget's largest drivers are annual software licensing increases and the cost of student devices.
Staff said annual software increases are typically in the 5%–8% range for critical systems such as PowerSchool, and that device unit costs have risen in recent years (the transcript lists per-device figures and associated case and management license charges as presented at the meeting). The district continues a mostly 1:1 device model for grades 3 and up, with a cart model for grades K–2.
Board members asked whether families are buying optional device insurance; staff responded that the insurance is optional, currently recorded in the transcript as $30 per year, covers accidental damage (not intentional damage) and has modest uptake. Staff said intentional damage remains a significant repair cost and that annual insurance receipts offset about one parts order ("to the tune of $1,200") per year.
The technology lead also described a realignment of software purchases between object accounts (computer licenses and network protection) to better reflect their purposes and noted purchasing strategies such as consortium contracts and timing purchases in spring to secure devices for the next school year.
"The two biggest drivers of this year's technology requests are our annual software increases ... and the cost of promos," staff said, noting market pressure on chip supply chains and device prices.
