The Exeter Township School Board voted against the purchase of approximately over 1,000 Chromebooks at a price ranging between $375,000 and $405,000 during their Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting. The requested purchase would result in providing Chromebooks for students in grades 10 through 12. The vote was eight to one against the purchase of the computers, and would have expanded an already existing program the district is currently using for the ninth graders this school year. One of the concerns the board members voiced is whether or not to use this year as a pilot period and expand the program later.
‘Let’s roll it out with the ninth graders and see how it goes,’ Patricia O’Brien-Pieja, board treasurer, said.
The board was also concerned with the difficulty of implementing this larger scale program. The complexity will include the training of the students and teachers. Another aspect of the problem involves the use of Chromebooks in school as well as to provide students with Internet access at home.
Some of the other challenges the board members have involve the difficulties of implementing this plan, and the time it would take to receive the extra Chromebooks for grades 10 through 12. Another concern raised was what would happen to the computers after the student graduates. Most of the board members hope to see a resolution to these problems before they will vote in favor of the proposal.
Dr. David S. Bender, vice-president of the board, expressed his concerns about the problems the school will encounter in the first year.
‘I have the impression that this will be an overwhelming task,’ Bender said.
The one board member who voted for the Chromebooks was Dr. Timothy J. Timura. Timura stated the computers will help all of the students that do not have the funds to purchase computer equipment.
Timura shared stories of students who were not able to keep up with their homework because they did not have access to computers.
‘This is going to level the playing field,’ Timura said.
The board also voted on how to handle any repair fees for the Chromebooks. The first option is a fee of $10 per year, which would cover up to three incidents over the students four years. The second option is no upfront fee but escalating fees starting from $50 and not to exceed that of $275 for each repair.
The board voted seven to two in favor of letting parents choose which option they would wish to enroll their child in. The district wishes to instill responsibility within the students by placing penalties on the students for damages caused to their Chromebooks.
Joshua Smith and Alma Anguiano are students at Alvernia College.