HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 has always tried to provide technology to all students. At first, the district’s goal was to have one computer for every two to three students. Over the years the district has tried to make the technology even more accommodating for students.
But that has all changed with the pandemic, which shut down schools and forced districts to finish out the school year online. Monday night, the USD 308 Board of Education approved the purchase of 500 additional Chromebook computers with federal COVID-19 funds.
The additional Chromebooks will allow the district to move to a one-to-one student-to-computer ratio for grades four through 12. The district already has enough iPads for students in kindergarten through third grade for a one-to-one initiative.
The district is planning ahead in case the pandemic would force another partial or full in-person school shutdown in 2020-21 and beyond.
In another pandemic-related move, the board approved a phase-in plan to reopen district facilities this summer. The plan was coordinated with the other school districts in Reno County and with the Reno County Health Department.
Outdoor activities will begin on a limited basis on June 1. Buildings will remain closed until at least June 15. All district activities, however, depend on if state and local health officials agree that benchmarks are being made for a safe reopening.