Knox County Schools approves plan to get laptops for each student next school year

Knox County Schools students will each have a laptop next school year, the board of education voted on Wednesday.

The school board approved a proposal that would use half of the money Knox County Schools receives from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to purchase devices for students for next school year. 

The plan will use an estimated $7 million of the $12.9 million from the CARES Act that Knox County Schools will receive. In future years, the cost of the devices would need to be built into the budget. 

More:Board members support Knox County Schools' plan to lease laptops but flinch at cost

The new plan would bring 60,000 devices to Knox County Schools over time. In a change from what was originally proposed, the board decided it would be best to look at how many devices Knox County currently has that can still be used next school year, and only purchase what is needed at this time.

Cost of the plan raises concerns

The approval was not unanimous, as some board members still worried about the cost of devices. Board member Tony Norman was the only one to vote against the proposal.

"Given the times we live in, we don’t even know our revenue sources," Norman said. "What we do know is that this purchase is going to increase our budget."

Norman said he thought it was "irresponsible when there's so much unknown that's coming."

"I think we’re biting off a lot of debt that we don’t know how we’re going to be able to fund this in the future," Norman said.

At the board's work session last week, Superintendent Bob Thomas emphasized that the devices will not replace teachers in Knox County, but will be used to enhance learning and continue teaching when schools need to close. 

"Given the uncertainty of COVID-19, we believe it’s important to prepare for the possibility of closing again in the fall," Thomas said last week.

Teacher training will take place this summer

Teachers will have training over the summer to make sure they are prepared for next school year. Training includes using software and programs for online learning, and also on trauma students may be facing in the pandemic.

"Our whole summer is geared around thinking through those supports," said Shannon Jackson, executive director of teaching and learning.

Other Tennessee districts are considering similar moves: Shelby and Hamilton County schools are also looking to use their funding from the CARES Act to become one-to-one districts with technology.

Emerald Academy, the only public charter school in Knoxville, will also provide Chromebooks for each student, the school announced on Monday.