Bring-your-own-device ends; Chromebooks stay in classrooms

What happened

Staff told the board that students will use only district devices for classwork in 2026-27. Grades 3-12 get Chromebook carts in each classroom, so devices generally no longer go home. Staff said the district already has a school board cell phone policy, and the board readopted it in August.

Why it matters to families

Students may have less device access for homework. Staff also said the Chromebooks bought with pandemic money are wearing out, and students are now charged for damage.

The evidence

At about 1 hour 35 minutes into the July 13, 2026 recording, staff say the district will 'revert back to just using ECPS devices for any classwork,' with carts in classrooms. At about 1 hour 39 minutes they say the cell phone policy is already in place. The source is the official meeting recording; its auto-captions can garble numbers, so check the recording.

The source