The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education approved two major purchases Thursday for its One-To-One technology initiative. These purchases will allow the district to issue a Chromebook mobile laptop computer to every student in grades 2-12 this fall.
Older students will take their devices home at night, while the younger students will keep them in carts at school that have already been purchased for that purpose. Superintendent Brad Reed said the plan to buy Chromebooks for grades 3-12 and iPads for grades K-2 has changed, with second grades also getting Chromebooks.

The One-To-One initiative is being financed through a Dorothy Morrison Fund Grant.
CDW-G, based in Seattle, submitted the lowest quotes and was awarded both contracts approved Thursday. The district will buy 1,100 Chromebooks for $245,810.
The district will also purchase GoGuardian Teach/Admin 3Y LIC 800 software that filters and monitors students’ Chromebook use for $49,200.

“This filter system will be good no matter where the take the machine,” Reed said.
In answer to a question about using a firm on the West coast, Assistant Superintendent Khris Thexton told the board, “We work with CDW all the time.” He has been satisfied with the company and its service.

GBMS technology coach Darcy Leech said she’s excited about the technology initiative.
“I am behind this program 100 percent,” she said. Technology is a tool, and it’s one teachers need to be comfortable with, she added. Instruction with technology includes face-to-face time.