The CMS board approved using $9 million to invest in technology and a $5,000 donation to purchase 3D printers for both Carlsbad Intermediate Schools.
Superintended Dr. Gerry Washburn said the $9 million is a part of a technology bond fund the school district gets every year.
"That's why we were able to put Chromebooks in every kid's hand, that's why we were able to go to 5G fiber network and build hotspots. Our goal is to be able to have access to that money so we can do those things," Washburn said.
The $5,000 donation came from Edgewater Federal Solutions, Inc., an IT consulting company for 3D printers, for the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program at Carlsbad Intermediate School.
PLTW is a hands-on STEM program that teaches students about science, technology, engineering and math. The project aims to help students build a strong foundation to be prepared for high school, college and a career while getting them interested in fields like computer science, engineering and biomedical science, according to their website.
Washburn said CMS ordered about 2,400 Chromebooks that will be distributed throughout the district.
Some Carlsbad students have had issues with the Chromebooks provided by their schools. After Carlsbad High School (CHS) and PR Leyva Carlsbad Intermediate School went to remote learning on Aug. 16, many students relied on this equipment to participate in class.
Substitute teacher at PR Leyva Kaeylynn Liddell said many of her students had issues with their Chromebooks during the first week of school and were not able to log into class.
"I get so many calls and emails from parents saying their child got their Chromebooks, but they were broken," Liddell said.
She said some of her students' laptops won't turn on or charge and one of her students had to sit on the floor near an outlet to keep his Chromebook on for class.
Alicia Cortez said her daughter, who attends Carlsbad Early College High School, got a broken Chromebook.
"Her laptop is missing a few buttons but that's all they have to work with," Cortez said.
Washburn said the district was supposed to receive a shipment of new Chromebooks before the school year started, but it did not come in time and schools were left scrambling to work with what they had.
"We are constantly updating equipment, obviously right now there are shortages," Washburn said.
Liddell said some of her students have already gotten their Chromebooks replaced and are back on track.
Carlsbad High School and PR Leyva are set to return to in person learning on Monday Aug. 23 with the permission of the New Mexico Public Education Department.
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