Chromebook bonanza: Whitley Co. board purchases 1,500 Chromebooks for seventh- through 12th graders on three-year lease; principal: "This is a landmark day"...

Times Tribune, Corbin, July 27, 2017

1,500 Chrome Books coming to Whitley County Schools
By John Ross & Angela Turner

Seventh- through 12th-graders in Whitley County Schools will soon see modern technology in the classrooms — and in their hands.

A special-called meeting of the Board of Education at Whitley County High School Thursday introduced board members to Chrome Books — of which 1,500 will become part of the school system's arsenal of tools used to teach students. Board members approved a three-year lease agreement with Hewlett-Packard for 950 Chrome Books, and along with Site Based monies, 1,500 Chrome Books will be in the hands of Whitley's middle and high school students.

According to a press release from Superintendent Scott Paul, the initiative is keeping with the District’s commitment to providing a 21st century educational experience for its students that is second to none.

“This has been a goal of ours for the past seven years but it has always seemed we couldn’t find the right device or the necessary funding to make it happen,” Deputy Superintendent Paula Trickett said. “This has certainly been a team effort but I especially credit the leadership of CIO Kevin Anderson and WCHS Principal Bob Lawson for helping make this dream a reality.”

High school students in upper level computer courses will provide tech support for the devices, which will benefit not only the district in maintaining the devices but also the high school students as they gain real world experience in preparation for becoming college and career ready.

“This is a landmark day for our students, staff and community,” Lawson added. “Our mission is to provide our students the best possible education and this initiative is a monumental step in doing that.”