CHROMEBOOK PROGRAM Austintown schools

The school district spent about $1.1 million last summer to purchase 3,000 HP Chromebooks, using Google software, and carts.

200 were given to staff. If those teachers are staying with the district, they can taken the devices home during the summer.

School personnel are collecting the roughly 2,800 Chromebooks from students.

About 180 Chromebooks had cracked screens, battery issues or keyboard issues that were covered under a warranty.

Six were reported stolen, but four were later found.

About 99 percent of Austintown Middle School students participated this year.

About 80 percent of Fitch High School students participated this year, with 200 graduating seniors opting not to obtain a laptop.

Students had to pay a $50 insurance fee to use a Chromebook during the inaugural year of the program.

Source: Tom Ventresco, Austintown district technology coordinator, and Vindicator archives