Now that Ben Prasko has worked as technology director for USD 257 for a year, he has a better understanding of patterns.
He knows the problems he’s likely to encounter again and again with certain models of Chromebooks. For example, one brand tends to have more broken cameras.
He also knows which age group of students — middle and high school but particularly high school — are more likely to report damaged equipment.
Granted, that’s likely because elementary students do not take Chromebooks home in the evening or on weekends.
Prasko estimates he had to repair about four broken screens over the entire course of last year for elementary students. But for high school students, he fixed one or two every week.
Damaged equipment is costly for the district.
At a school board meeting on Monday evening, Prasko asked for the board’s blessing to institute a new technology policy. Students will be asked to sign a form that outlines their responsibility for the care of technology equipment such as Chromebooks. When those items are damaged through neglect, the student will be charged a repair fee.
Administrators will be tasked with determining if the damage likely occurred through neglect or an accident. If it happened because of an unavoidable accident or a defect in equipment, students will not be charged.
Prasko offered a chart with repair costs, which students will review before agreeing to the terms. It lists different types of Chromebooks and the costs for different types of repairs.
If a student damages the Chromebook so badly it needs to be replaced entirely, they could be charged anywhere from $225 to $290, depending on the model. The next most expensive repair is the motherboard, ranging from $135 to $150.
If they lose or damage a charger, case or screen, they will be charged $25. Most repairs are between $10 and $25, such as for the camera, keyboard, hinge or covers.
Students who are assessed charges for technology repairs will need to pay those costs in order to walk across the stage at graduation.
Prasko said his goal is not to penalize students but to provide a transparent framework that will keep them accountable.
“I’m trying to make the process easy for myself and staff, and improve communication with parents,” he said.
PRASKO and Superintendent Stacey Fager also talked about the impact of hiring a technology assistant to help Prasko over the summer.
David Daugharthy, chemistry teacher, took on that role. He helped Prasko organize equipment in the tech storage area and office. He also helped set up new Chromebooks for the coming school year.
