HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees convened on Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting and approved assessing fees to students that damage the District’s Chromebooks.
For this upcoming school year, students who are provided a Chromebook that is then lost, stolen, misplaced or broken beyond repair will be assessed a $150 fee.
Students who return a Chromebook with a broken screen at the end of the year will be assessed a $100 fee.
The first time a student reports a Chromebook with a broken screen during the school year, a $50 assessment will be imposed. For the second time on, the fee increases to $100.
Students who are provided a Chromebook charger that they then lose, have stolen, misplace, brake, or do not return will be assessed a $50 fine.
Prior to students checking out Chromebooks, they will have to have a parent or legal guardian sign a one-page form.
The District will work with the parents/guardians of students who are assessed these fees to notify them when they are imposed. They will also be able to establish payment plans through the Business Office. In the event that payment cannot be made due to extenuating circumstances, issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, as other funding sources may be available to assist those in need.
Superintendent Craig Mueller says this past school year, the tech department replaced over 200 Chromebooks, and due to the rising cost of these replacements and the costs associated with maintenance of the devices, it is now necessary to impose these fees.
Thanks to the District’s insurance, they were able to recover $7,500 based off damage reported in the previous school year, according to Mueller.
Other action or discussions at Tuesday’s meeting:
- Trustee Committee Assignments for the coming school year were approved. This includes three committees that will be working on specific goals within Strategic Planning. These goals are: Staffing and Retention, Student Opportunities, and Facilities and Maintenance. Each Committee will feature three or four administrators as well. Strategic Planning meetings will take place September 26th, November 28th, February 27th and April 24th
- Votes of approval for issues that required an MTSBA membership vote
- Approval of the unanimous consent agenda, including bus routes
- Superintendent Mueller provided a schedule of significant upcoming events. This includes:
- Tuesday, August 2nd: HPS Job Fair, Sunnyside Gym: 4-7 PM
- Wednesday, August 3rd: New Teacher Orientation, HHS Library- ALL BOARD WELCOME for the Introduction Breakfast at 8 AM8 AM-4 PM Lunch with New Teacher Mentors and HEA
- Thursday, August 4th: Administrator’s Institute, Robins Banner Room, 8 AM-5 PM
- Monday, August 22nd: HPS Staff Welcome Back, HHS Auditorium, 8 AM
- Thursday, September 8th: IEFA/TITLE I Back to School BBQ for all HPS Students, families and Staff at Havre High School• Mini 9-hole golf course
• Bounce House
• Dunk tank
• Activities for kids (face painting, sidewalk decorating, etc) - 2nd Week of August starts off August Institute- professional development opportunities that are posted on District website.
- August Board Meeting: AMERESCO Final Project Details Presentation
- August/September:
- Notification from Northwestern Energy on Solar Panel Grant for the Bus Garage
- Notification from COPPS/SVPP on the School Safety Grant Application- could be for a district wide bell, intercom, and emergency notification system.
