Subject:   Rock Hill Schools One:One Program – Challenges to Middle School Device Deployment

Dear Middle Schools faculty, staff, students and parents:

As part of our ongoing digital learning program, we deployed a new device to our students in 7th and 8th grades this year, replacing the iPad 2 tablets.  The Hewlett-Packard (HP) 840 G3, a Windows 10 laptop, provides a more capable platform for our middle school students, similar to and compatible with the HP 840 G2 devices our high schools use. 

Unfortunately, deployment of the G3 devices at the middle schools has been challenged by several issues this year beyond our control, including:

  • Windows 10 transition and updates.  Microsoft’s correction to a number of software issues with the Windows 10 operating system, together with poor timing of “automatic” corrective updates, caused many problems for our users at the beginning of the school year.  This was an unforeseen Microsoft issue, and has largely been addressed now.  We are working to correct remaining issues and prevent recurrence next year.
  • Backorder of HP repair parts.  The device manufacturer is experiencing a severe backorder of repair parts, and consequently a lack of spare device availability.  While this global supply chain issue is affecting a small percentage of our total middle school inventory, this is preventing some students from daily device use.  We are communicating daily and diligently with HP to expedite resolution of this issue in a matter of days.

Superintendent Dr. Pew informed the Board of Trustees last month that we were working toward an accelerated deployment of 6th grade devices (the same model as other middle grades) at mid-year.  The challenges above have impacted this effort.  So, until the issue(s) above are completely resolved, we will delay this purchase and deployment.  Our schedule for replacement of 6th grade devices will remain as the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

We sincerely regret the frustration and inconvenience that these issues have caused to our schools, teachers, staff and students.  We will continue to work steadfastly to correct issues and restore an environment for 21st century learning to our classrooms, and will keep you updated on our progress.