Danbury's technology director proposed a voluntary device insurance program to reduce repair delays and repeated Chromebook replacements, and the Board of Education asked staff to return with cost scenarios and equity options.

Gina Jasmine, the district's director of technology, told the board the district's one-to-one Chromebook program is producing frequent damage, lost devices and lengthy repairs because the district maintains mixed Chromebook models and a limited technical staff. Jasmine recommended SmartTech device coverage at $26 per device per year, saying the plan offers online enrollment, unlimited claims during the year, free shipping of devices to the vendor and a repair turnaround time of "less than 2 weeks." She said while a student's device is being repaired the district would issue a loaner device from reserve stock.

Board members raised questions about affordability and scale. A board member asked, "What is my incentive as a parent then if I don't have any financial obligation currently to then spend the $26?" Jasmine said the district currently bears the repair burden and that some families have required multiple replacements; she said the insurance could reduce repeated replacements and help keep devices in use while licensing remains valid.

Board members pressed on equity and cost. One member asked what would happen for families that could not afford the fee; Jasmine said the district has a small fund to assist families and estimated that if the district paid for all devices the annual cost would be about $300,000 (11,430 students at about $26 each). Several members asked Jasmine to gather additional comparisons of vendors and to calculate scenarios, including: (1) district-paid coverage for all students; (2) district-subsidized coverage for qualifying low-income families; and (3) a voluntary parent-paid option limited to students who take devices home. The superintendent said staff would return with a range of proposals and cost-breakdowns for board consideration.

No formal policy or purchase was approved at the meeting; the board directed staff to collect pricing comparisons, enrollment thresholds, current annual repair costs and proposals for how the district might sustain device availability while limiting replacement costs.