Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, York High School is adopting a new policy to distribute school-owned devices to all students. In contrast to the current system, where students use personal or rented devices for educational purposes, this system will involve students receiving a device at the beginning of the school year that is managed and owned by the district. These devices will come fully set up to provide students access to educational resources, including printers, required apps, and extensions. As a result, all students will have adequate access to all necessary programs. One significant concern regarding this policy has been whether a price will be attached to it. While there is no direct cost for the device, a $26 protection plan will be available for purchase. This plan will offer the student one-time use protection against any damage, loss, or theft of the device. Without the plan, the students’ families will be responsible for full compensation for replacing the damaged device. In addition, computers will still be available for loaning during the school day through the tech department in the library if students forget or damage their given device.
Network connectivity has been a significant issue in recent years, with recurring wifi outages at York High School. This new device policy will involve a change in the network that will hopefully reduce this issue, however, this poses a predicament regarding the use of cell phones. The new network will prevent the connection of phones, which will hinder the use of phones due to the lack of cell service at the school. Therefore, this policy is in favor of limiting cell phones during school hours, which other high schools around Maine are pursuing. Increasing numbers of schools are moving towards students not having cell phones at school; in order to minimize distractions and improve concentration during classes. Additionally these are significant reasons for not being able to connect cell phones to the internet under the new policy policy.
Another reason for the 1:1 device involves insurance and security concerns. With the current bring your own device policy, cyber security concerns have arisen. This also brings up the issue of high cyber liability insurance rates. With district-managed devices and networks, the risk of cyber security issues will decrease, strengthening the school’s insurance protection. As stated by Mr. Lawson, the Director of Technology & Innovation at York High School, “The School Committee and Budget Committee unanimously voted in favor to fund the 1:1 program at York High School for the 2025-2026 school year,” which shows the widespread support for this new system.
While it has striking differences from the current system, the new policy has the potential to improve student concentration, decrease security concerns, and strengthen the school insurance protection.
