“We fully understand the importance of laptops in supporting student learning, and we recognize the impact this shortage has on our students’ academics. This is not acceptable,” Richland 1 Superintendent Todd Walker wrote in an email to parents last week. “We know that students need laptops every year at the beginning of the year.”
Classes began Aug. 11.
The district cited multiple reasons for the laptop shortage, including capital budget reductions, a cut in federal funds, inventory control and loss prevention.
A Richland 1 spokesperson would not share how many students are without laptops or which schools are affected, but did say the problem impacts middle and high schools.
Walker said at a a school board meeting last week that “most” were experiencing a shortage.
Richland 1 board members noted that they had heard from concerned parents prior to the meeting, and were grateful that Walker was prompt in addressing the problem.
The parent of students at Crayton Middle School told the board that her children were told that not only could they not take their laptops home, but the computers had to be shared between several classes.
Instead of having access at all times, as is typical, they were only able to use the technology about two days a week, she said during last week’s board meeting. She wondered if it could impact lessons, e-learning days and standardized testing.
“Hopefully we will resolve this, but I do still have concerns,” the parent said.
According to Walker’s email, schools are completing a “comprehensive inventory” of surplus student laptops. Devices identified in the inventory will be redistributed to schools with the “most significant shortages” in hopes of addressing immediate needs.
Karen York, a Richland 1 spokesperson, said after the inventory is complete, the district will “have a much better picture of the situation, including whether there is a true shortage of laptops or if it’s mostly an inventory control issue.”
The district has ordered more than 4,300 laptops, which cost $4.4 million in capital project funding. They are expected to arrive by the end of September.
Last year, Richland 1 enrolled 21,554 students, with 5,924 high schoolers and 4,682 middle schoolers, according to the state Department of Education.
In the meantime, no student will be penalized for not having a laptop to complete assignments, Walker wrote. A Richland 1 spokesperson did not answer a reporter’s questions about how classroom learning and instruction has been impacted.
“We can do better and we will do better,” Walker wrote. “Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”
Richland 1 is adjusting its ordering process to ensure laptops are delivered earlier each year to prevent future shortages.
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