Baldwin County’s schools could be looking at a major overhaul of classroom technology, as the Baldwin County Board of Education may approve a proposal that would bring in Google Chromebooks to replace some of the Apple products currently used across the system.

“We’re at the point in our cycle of technology that we are evaluating where to go in the future,” Superintendent Eddie Tyler said. “What we are certain of – technology is not an option in preparing our students for college and career opportunities. 

According to an internal source, the change to Chromebooks could bring about significant savings to the system – about $23 million total over a four year period.

A renewal of the MacBooks used under the system’s current “Digital Renaissance” program would cost the system $990 per device, or around $24.3 million total to give computers to the almost 25,000 students in grades 3 through 12.

The Chromebooks would cost the system about $201 per device, which would only cost the system around $4.9 million to supply students with the technology.

However, with the resale value of the MacBooks currently used by the system, the cost would drop significantly for the system – to where Baldwin County would only be paying about $1.5 million to fully equip the system’s students.

The Chromebooks would also come with a three-year warranty; the MacBooks did carry a warranty of that length.

Because of the savings that could come about as a part of the change over, it could mean the end of the fee charge to use technology in the classrooms and allow every student access to a device.

In August 2015, the county started a pilot program with the Chromebooks at Loxley and Rosinton Elementary Schools, which met with success.

“In the gamut of technology, it’s an excellent device with high value and low cost. Enabling our students with a powerful device and saving taxpayers substantial money are win-wins which have certainly gotten our attention and that’s what we want to achieve – a powerful device for students that constitutes a huge cost-savings to taxpayers,” Tyler said. “Ultimately, as superintendent, based upon what the pilot program has yielded, I will make a recommendation to the board.”

A rollout of 550 Chromebooks are set to be delivered to the county’s middle and high schools some time this month, which would allow the county further testing on the devices. Using federal technology funds, all Baldwin County schools will be receiving 30 Chromebooks to pilot in grades 3 through 12.

BCBE President Shannon Cauley said she looked forward to learning more about what opportunities the Chromebooks could offer the county’s students.

“The board is always looking for the best solution at the lowest possible cost. We have a great opportunity to continue to empower our teachers and students with a device and save taxpayers a significant amount of money,” Cauley said. “We look forward to hearing the superintendent’s insight and recommendations.”

If the BCBE approves the changeover at its January meeting, the new Chromebooks could be ordered as soon as February, possibly receiving them as early as July to be distributed to students when school starts back in August.