Dolton 149 Successfully Delivers 3,000 Computers to Students

(Calumet City, IL) – South suburban Dolton School District 149 last week successfully completed the delivery of more than 3,000, new Chromebook computers to its student body to reinforce its remote learning program, according to district officials.

“Our technology team began on Monday, October 5, distributing the Wi-Fi-enabled computers to students and on Friday, October 9, we successfully completed that distribution to all students,” said Dolton 149 Superintendent Dr. Shelly Davis-Jones, who directed the operation. “Special commendation should go out to our technology team led by Dr. Brigitte Garth Young for their tireless effort to make the distribution run smooth.”

Additionally, COTG-Xerox, L&L Janitorial and Maintenance Company, central office administrators, building principals and their administrative team, Allied Security and Calumet City Police Department assisted with the district’s Chromebook deployment, according to the superintendent.

“It was a true team effort and it was great to give the students their new Chromebooks to propel them into 21st Century learning,” said Dr. Garth Young. “Our students and parents are thrilled with their new computers that significantly enrich our remote learning program.”

Dr. Davis-Jones also applauded Board President Darlene Gray Everett, who has served on the board since 1994, for her leadership in securing the computers.

“The truth is that, under the direction of Board President Darlene Gray Everett, the district acted within 24-hours of the school closures on March 16 to begin the process to obtain the 3,000 computers in order to provide a high-quality, remote learning option that our students deserve,” said Dr. Davis-Jones. “Dolton 149’s board president had the foresight – more than many other elected leaders – to recognize the long-term seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic and its potentiality to disrupt instruction, so we are grateful for her strong and wise leadership.”

Gray Everett noted that the pandemic disrupted “global supply chains” playing havoc with the computers’ delivery.

“On March 17, one day after the March 16 statewide school’s shutdown, I instructed the district superintendent to acquire 3,000 Chromebooks, and the first purchase order was subsequently submitted on March 30, but Dolton 149 got caught up in the same turbulence of disrupted, global supply chains as other districts, which delayed delivery of the computers,” said Gray Everett. “Still, we are thrilled that the district obtained the computers and have put them in the hands of all our students.”

Gray-Everett also hailed the role that the district’s parents have played by stepping up to assist more directly in their children’s education.

“Since day one, our parents have been working hard and faithfully to support the district’s efforts in educating the children,” said Gray Everett. “I want to thank them for their commitment, sacrifice, and help. The district appreciates everything that they have done. God bless them all.”

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