Almost 10,000 Chromebooks are ready to go into the hands of students at Scott County Public Schools. The district is moving to a 1:1 student to device ratio starting this school year. Every student from kindergarten through 12th grade will get their own device.
There is an associated cost for students and families. Billy Parker is Scott County Schools Superintendent. Parker said students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be exempt from those fees.
“But even with that, there are still families out there that maybe they don't qualify for free and reduced lunch, but things are tight. We'll certainly work with those families. And we're not going to withhold resources from students that need these resources. So, we’ll work with them to figure that kinda thing out,” said Parker.
The yearly technology fee is $15 for K-5 students and $30 students in grades 6-12. Personal computers will not be allowed under the new technology initiative. Superintendent Parker said this rule is a student safety measure.
“Sometimes even if they're on our networks, we can track that things are going on, but we don't know who to assign those things to. So by having devices that students are, are forced to log onto, so that we know who we're dealing with, we're able to better address any kinds of issues,” said Parker.
Parker said the school district created a plan to replace the Chromebooks every four years. The school leader added that starting with the class of 2023, graduating seniors will be allowed to take their Chromebooks with them when they leave school.
