By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays school board is set to vote Monday on program to study the use of Chromebooks in the district.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockwell Administrative Center.

The program would include purchasing Chromebooks for students at the Learning Center, a middle school class and an elementary school class.

The total cost for 70 Chromebooks, licensing and teacher training would be $22,543.

The board recently approved the purchase of Dell computers for high school students. During that debate, some board members expressed frustration the technology committee did not present an option with Chromebooks. Several board members thought Chromebooks might be a cheaper option.

Board member Greg Schwartz asked at the board’s June 25 meeting, why the pilot program included Chromebooks with touch screens.

Superintendent John Thissen said the students are currently using computers with touch screens and Chromebooks with touch screens would be a more equitable comparison.

Schwartz said he wished to see the pilot program use the less expensive option in the Chromebooks that did not have touch screens.

The board will also vote on a number of annual reorganization motions. The board will vote on the president and vice president as well as a variety of appointments.

The board is also set to vote on student handbook revisions. Thissen said during the June 25 meeting there were not significant changes to the handbooks.

In other business, the board will:

• Discuss the establishment of the district mileage reimbursement rate.

• Discuss Kansas Association of School Boards policy recommendations.