LYNN — Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said the city’s school district is planning for a return to classes in the fall that will feature an “increased reliance” on virtual learning.
To increase student access and to allow for fewer disruptions to learning in the event of a closure, Tutwiler said the district will purchase an additional 8,500 Chromebooks and has entered into an agreement with Comcast to provide Internet access for 500 households that are in need of such connectivity.
Comcast will install the equipment in each household and the school district will pay for their Internet access, a cost that was not disclosed at last Thursday’s School Committee meeting, where Tutwiler announced the plan.
At approximately $250 apiece, the Chromebook purchases will cost the Lynn Public Schools about $2.125 million, which Tutwiler expects will bring the district’s amount of available devices next school year to 14,000.
“We know that there’s going to be an increased reliance on virtual learning going forward,” said Tutwiler. “That is not one to one in this district, but with that number (of Chromebooks), I am fairly confident that we would satisfy needs for those who have no device at home and then some.”
According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), there were 16,088 students enrolled in the Lynn Public Schools in 2019.
Kevin McHugh, school business administrator, plans to order the Chromebooks Monday, calling it a “top priority.” He said the district is covering the cost by pooling any non-expended funds from the budget, such as from unneeded salaries, school supplies or other miscellaneous items.
In addition, Tutwiler said the district has priced and is prepared to order devices for all staff members “to move us closer to scenarios that provide multiple modalities for continuous learning.”
Lynn Schools have been closed since mid-March due to COVID-19 and although classes have been canceled for the remainder of the year, students are still expected to engage in projects and activities through the district’s remote learning plan.
However, when the first phase of remote learning launched on the school district’s website in late March, it became apparent that many students lacked computers or an Internet connection, making it difficult for some to complete the work.
To try to bridge that gap, the district administration purchased 5,500 Chromebooks, which cost approximately $1.375 million. Of that initial purchase, 3,500 devices have been delivered, with the remaining Chromebooks from that order expected within the next couple of weeks, Tutwiler said.
Students with the highest need and urgency were prioritized for Chromebook distribution, such as students on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), students taking AP classes or early college courses, and seniors who needed to complete graduation requirements.
“We needed to prioritize because we just didn’t have enough to say anyone who wants one can get one because we would miss potentially the opportunity to support a student whose need was more urgent,” said Tutwiler. “We’re getting closer to a point of saying anybody who needs one can get one and we would like to be able to say that before the summer learning experiences begin.”
Having devices available for all students in need of a computer is largely dependent on when the next wave of Chromebooks arrive, Tutwiler said. Although that timeline remains unclear, he said he was confident that those needs would be met next school year.
In the meantime, for the remainder of this school year, alternative paper packets have been made more readily available for the second phase of the district’s remote learning plan, which launched on April 27.
“I can say with great confidence that as we look ahead to plans for the fall, I think we will be appropriately resourced, as it relates to technology, to engage in whatever modality we have to based on the circumstances,” said Tutwiler.
Although additional technology should help with the continued challenge of virtual learning, Tutwiler said there will be further challenges when classes resume in the fall. He expects there will be “widespread learning loss” and an increased need for trauma and mental health support.
He said it’s “premature” to put a plan forward for the fall — the DESE won’t release guidance on the fall opening until June — but knowing those challenges will allow the district to develop a framework to respond quicker to whatever state guidelines are released.
Tutwiler said he will be establishing a small advisory group, made up of students, parents, community partners and elected officials, who will operate as both a sounding board for him as he proposes plans for the fall and a panel that generates ideas of their own.
“We’re starting to build the framework for the fall, with lots of unknowns, and then we’re also thinking about summer learning experiences,” said Tutwiler. “We’re starting to conceptualize something that would be available for all students. All of those plans are anchored in remote learning. None of them involve in-person, in brick and mortar spaces.”
School Committee member Jared Nicholson said the increased access to technology for students was “great news.”
“It’s not quite one to one, but it’s getting there,” said Nicholson. “I know this is so challenging and people are doing amazing work.”
