Labs A234 and A236 have retired their slow servers and outdated computers in favor of more classroom space this school year.

 Although all MCPS high schools were supposed to receive more Chromebooks this year, budget cuts caused a delay in the rollout plan. So, Whitman has two fewer computer labs, without the Chromebooks the county expected to replace them.

The PTSA and the Whitman Education Foundation were able to purchase two extra Chromebook carts for the school, and the Education Foundation may buy another later this year, depending on fundraising efforts.

“To be competitive in a global market, students need to be able to do research and know how to work through computers,” PTSA president Cathy Scherr said. “I’m hoping that, because of parent support, we’re offsetting any downsides from the loss of the computer labs and not getting the Chromebooks from MCPS.”

One downside is the relocation of the Writing Center to the smaller English Mini Lab, A204. While the lack of computers has been difficult, converting the two computer labs into classrooms has addressed a legitimate need for more space for English classes. A classroom was also added in the WAUD to compensate for overcrowding.

MCPS intended to provide high schools with enough Chromebooks that two departments would be equipped with laptops in each classroom. In addition, the county planned to buy Chromebooks for all second, fourth and seventh grades. This plan was delayed in June to save around three million dollars.

At the end of the summer, however, the county decided to purchase Chromebooks for all fourth grade and around 150 seventh grade classrooms. There hasn’t been an update on when high schools will receive more laptops.

In the meantime, Whitman’s Chromebooks are being split among the English, social studies, ESOL and Special Ed departments, principal Alan Goodwin said.

“Change is always disruptive, but it also offers opportunity for new ideas, adaptation and growth,” English composition assistant Orion Hyson said. “Teachers using Chromebooks in the classroom gives them greater flexibility in terms of technology support.”