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Progress 2021 • Maryville Forum
Thursday, January 28, 2021
R-II district provides Chromebooks to all students By SKYE POURNAZARI The Forum
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Putting funding where it matters most, with educational tools directly into the hands of students, the Maryville R-II school district reached a 1:1 ratio of Google Chromebooks to students in 2020. The project was started last spring, but the pandemic pushed pause on it until the fall. “This is the first school year where we’ve truly gone one-toone with our Chromebook distribution,” said Assistant Superintendent Steve Klotz. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade have Chromebooks, but they’re used in the classroom. Students from fifth through 12th grades have their Chromebooks checked out to them for the year. “Each student has their own device and they’ve been assigned to them,” he said. “They’re responsible for use and maintenance and care.” The district has around 1,650 Chromebooks and each one is assigned to a student for a period of time. For example, a second grader receives a Chromebook that they will keep until fifth grade,when they will receive a new device. That student again will receive a new device upon entering ninth grade. Students return them during the summer for cleaning, updates and maintenance. He noted that the district purchased some “Zap tents,” to heat clean the devices during the summer. This will allow the school to prepare them for redistribution. The district also offers a “Risk Management Plan.” For $25 parents can insure their child’s device from any accidental damage like scratches on the screen or missing keys, Klotz said. “When you’re transporting them to and from school, they’re not the most durable device,” he said. “They’re relatively cost effective
Maryville Middle School seventh graders use their Google Chromebooks during school in 2020. The R-II school district met its goal of a 1:1 ratio of Google Chromebooks to students in 2020.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Maryville Middle School students use their Google Chromebooks during school in 2020. The R-II school district met its goal of a 1:1 ratio of Google Chromebooks to students in 2020. which means they’re also a little device to use,” he said. “It’s not check one out for use in the meanmore consumable than a $1,500 something we have a lot of mon- time. laptop.” ey tied up in, compared to a Mac “Our students have done a good However, if the damage is found book.” job,” Klotz said. “I don’t know to be intentional, the student would But the district has those also what our churn has been this year, be charged the full price to replace for some classrooms and labs that but I’d say we’ve had less than 30 the device, around $250. require a little more power to run to 40 device-type issues that we’ve “It’s a little bit more manpower various kinds of software. had to repair.” on our end to try and keep every“I think it’s been a good investthing up and going consistently, ment for the district,” he said. NorthwestCell partnership but we’re able to manage that right The cost is manageable since With regard to internet access now,” Klotz said. the district can purchase 300-350 at home, students are also able to He believes when the current Chromebooks per year to replace check out routers with data plans need for the devices as a connec- those reaching their end of life date. provided to the district through a tion with the school during the This also keeps the devices partnership with NorthwestCell. pandemic is over, that the students within three to four years old to “They were able to help us with will still need them. He thinks they provide students with updated and some very good pricing with some will have grown accustomed to the current technologies. routers that we could check out to devices and learned how to utilize After coming out of rotation, students,” he said. “We’ve been them for the classroom. the district keeps the best devices able to use county CARES Act The district has had Chrome- on hand in the office for students funds to help support that.” books available for students for to check out. Whether the device The district has about 20 to 30 four or five years, but just reached was left at home or their current routers and accompanying data that full 1:1 ratio last year. Chromebook is undergoing a re- plans that may be checked out by “This gives them a consistent pair, this allows for students to students who have no internet ac-
Maryville High School students use their Google Chromebooks in the classroom in 2020. The R-II school district met its goal of a 1:1 ratio of Google Chromebooks to students in 2020. cess at home. Klotz said that around 15 to 20 students have checked out the devices within the last year. The issues typically arise when a student is out on quarantine with no access to the internet from home. “They’ve (NorthwestCell) been a good partner to work with,” he said.
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