Administrators were given the green light July 16 by the PfISD board of trustees to pursue purchasing Chromebook devices worth up to $4.5 million. A Chromebook is a laptop or tablet device manufactured by Google.
“In preparation for remote learning, in-school learning [and] a mix of both, we are working to expand the number of devices available for students,” said Victor Valdez, chief technology officer for PfISD.
These Chromebook devices will go to students before the end of August, Valdez told trustees.
PfISD faculty will be receiving devices in the coming weeks to help with remote learning ahead of the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. PfISD already owns all of the technology set to be delivered to staff.
Ed Ramos, chief operating officer for PfISD, told trustees the district has several financing options available to pay for the devices.
Some state funds are available for purchasing technological devices, and Ramos said his team is also looking at available funds from the district’s operating fund balance from the current school year’s budget.
The Chromebooks will cost the district approximately $250-$300 per device to purchase, Valdez said.
“We can finalize which of those funding options we’d like to use,” Ramos said.
