The Indian Prairie School District 204 board recently gave the district the green light to purchase 6,150 new Chromebooks, for a total cost of just over $2.3 million.

The cost for the new devices — HP Fortis 11 G10 Chromebooks — is accounted for in the district’s technology supplies budget for the current fiscal year, per a district memo. The quote includes things like delivery, screen protectors and a three- or four-year accidental protection plan, though Chromebook licensing will be added at a later date.

The district used to replace computers by elementary, middle and high school, but that led to major fluctuations in the district’s technology budget from year to year, the district’s Chief Technology Officer Rod Mack previously explained.

Now, the district replaces Chromebooks using a staggered system, in which it replaces some student computers every year, rather than in large chunks every fiscal year.

For example, second-, sixth- and ninth-graders in the district received new Chromebooks this year, following a similar purchase approval by the school board roughly a year ago. Students then use their Chromebooks for several years until they are due to be replaced again.

Doing so, Mack said previously, ensures there is enough money in the technology budget for regular maintenance: things like replacing copiers and updating wireless networks.

All students in District 204, aside from early childhood, have their own school computers. Kindergartners and first-graders keep them at school, while grades two and above are responsible for bringing their computers to and from school.

The Chromebooks purchase was approved by the school board as part of the consent agenda at its meeting on Jan. 12.

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/20/indian-prairie-chromebooks-purchase/