The Parkland school board has approved purchase of Chromebooks for high school students in 2018-19 at a cost of $988,000.

This past term, the district provided Chromebook laptop computers to middle school students.

In 2019-20, the district will supply them to children in elementary grades.

At a recent meeting, Superintendent Richard Sniscak commented on the district’s Personalized Learning Initiative which aims to give access to technology to everyone, particularly those who do not have it at home.

“It’s part of an equity issue to make sure each student will have one,” Sniscak said. “Think of these as a text book.

“All of our content is filtered at home and at school. Seniors can bring their own devices.”

In another technology matter, the board approved the purchase of 350 units at a cost of $305,900 for kindergarten through eighth grade teacher Laptop Refresh and $49,750 for Airtame Wireless projection adapters, also for kindergarten through eighth grade.

On the subject of school facilities, the board approved repair of high school gymnasium bleachers at a cost of $21,413; replacement of six HVAC controllers at the high school at a cost of $45,880; new gymnasium wall padding at Schnecksville and Cetronia elementary schools at a cost of $18,200; and new stage curtains at Cetronia Elementary for $7,500.

The board also approved bids from numerous vendors for fall sports equipment at $55,447, and bids from various providers for technology education supplies and equipment at a cost of $11,963.

Sniscak commented on the costs.

“There’s a lot of planning that takes place during the summer to maintain our facilities and programs so we can hit the ground running in the fall,” Sniscak said.

“These expenditures have been vetted at committee meetings and the budget seminar.”