Matthew Prichard, pictured, director of technology for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District, is coordinating the high school’s new Chromebook leasing program, which the school board approved during its meeting on Aug. 15, 2016. Photo provided.
Matthew Prichard, pictured, director of technology for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District, is coordinating the high school’s new Chromebook leasing program, which the school board approved during its meeting on Aug. 15, 2016. Photo provided.

By Megan Alley
Sun Staff

At the Aug. 15 New Richmond Exempted Village School District Board of Education meeting, members approved the high school’s new device plan and an increased security detail from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Department.

The device plan, which was unanimously approved by the board, offers all high school students the option to lease a Chromebook laptop for an annual fee of $40; students may use the laptop during the school day and take it home at night and on the weekends.

After four consecutive years of paying the annual fee, ownership of the laptop will be transferred to the student. Or, for those students entering into the program as a sophomore, junior or senior, they will have the option to buy out their lease when they graduate.

The plan, which was recommended to the board by its policy committee, aims to achieve a 1-1 ratio of devices to students.

“While the program is completely optional, I think it will be a very, very popular one,” Matthew Prichard, director of technology, said.

He added, “I know as a parent, if my school district sent something home that said, ‘$40 and your kid could have a Chromebook that they can take home every night and weekend,’ I’d say yes, I’ll sign that check; $40, that’s a really good deal.”

Students who qualify for reduced price or free school meals can participate in the plan for a reduced or waived fee. Students are allowed to bring their own device at no cost.

Expense estimates for the first year of the plan range from $68,700 to $108,700, depending on the number of families that participate. By year two, the cost diminishes significantly, ranging from $20,700 to $24,700.

“The startup cost is a significant investment for the district, but it’s definitely an investment in the students and the community,” Prichard said. “After that, it’s not nearly as high because you really just have to take care of the freshmen coming in each year. So, that’s a lot less for year two and beyond.”

The program will begin to roll out in two to three weeks, when Principal Mark Bailey is anticipated to send home order information to parents.

“The whole goal of this plan is to get to that 1-1 ratio,” said Kevin Walriven, board member. “If you’re at 80 percent, you still didn’t have that before. And, maybe if word spreads, maybe we’ll see a true 1-1.”

The board also unanimously approved an agreement with the sheriff’s department to provide one deputy for up to four days per week, three hours per day, to randomly patrol Monroe Elementary School as well as the district’s main campus, which encompasses New Richmond Elementary, Middle and High Schools.

Locust Corner Elementary School is already patrolled by the Pierce Township Police Department, according to Kristin Bennett, board president.

They will be at the locations on a random basis so that the community, or any hostile person out there, won’t know when they’re going to be on campus,” Superintendent Adam Bird explained.

Last year, the school district also utilized the New Richmond Police Department, but this year they are not, according to Bird.

Per the agreement, the deputy will work a three-hour minimum on all details at a rate of $32 an hour. Last minute detail, which is described as service that is requested within 72 hours of the deputy’s start time, will cost $35 an hour.