Chromebook

Based on our new Strategic Plan and working with the administration, it has been decided to make several changes to our 1:1 Technology Deployment.  Based on our new plan, we will be extending the life of our Chromebooks.  Students will now receive a new device in the second and eighth grades.  Our kindergarten and first-grade classrooms will be moving back to carts on a 6-year rotation.  As a department, we were tasked with decreasing our overall budget impact, and this was one area we could immediately see savings.  So we are moving to a 6-year K-1, 6-year 2-7, and 5-year 8-12 rotation for devices.  

Beginning at the end of this year, we will be collecting all student 1:1 devices. The devices will be inspected, cleaned, repaired, relabeled if needed, bagged, and alphabetized to be deployed next year.

We will also be updating both our technology fee structure and how our repairs are handled.  We have selected a higher-end device as we move forward with our expanded life cycle which has increased the cost of each device.  As our device costs have increased, we have moved to a new fee structure.  A $25 fee is required to receive a device each year for grades 2-12.  With that change, we have also instituted a $50 family maximum each year.  If a family cannot afford the fee, they must fill out a free and reduced lunch application before the fee is waived.  If the technology fee has not been paid by October, the device will be released to the student without the protection of the $80 repair balance and all repairs will be billed at cost.

We have also reconsidered the best way to support student device incidents.  Students will receive an $80 repair balance each year if the technology fee is paid in grades 2-12.  Once the balance is exhausted, they would be charged for all repairs that exceed that amount.  We are also moving to a new always-on folio-style case for our newly deployed devices.  This is another new strategy to try to prolong the life of the device and decrease repairs.  Accessories will no longer be included in repairs.  If a bag is lost or a charger is misplaced, the student will be billed a set amount for each.  Any label that is removed will be subject to a $5 charge.  K-1 student devices are cart-based and not subject to fees.  

We plan to roll out online payments for fees and repairs for the 22-23 school year.  We will be sending out more communications about how the deployment will be handled and how fees can be paid over the summer so please check back.  In the meantime, please contact the Technology Department at chromebooks22.23@shepherdschools.net if you have any questions regarding the changes to the program.