WCCUSD elementary schools reducing computer use

Message from West Contra Costa Unified School District superintendent 

Dear WCCUSD Elementary Families (TK–6th Grade),

I am writing to share an important update about technology in our elementary schools and to ask for your partnership before the end of the school year.

What Is Changing

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, WCCUSD elementary schools will transition from a 1:1 Chromebook model, where every student has their own take-home device, to a shared classroom model in order to align with research about how technology best supports our younger learners. 

Under the new approach, devices will be organized into classroom sets (called Computers on Wheels, or COWs) that students use during school and that stay at school at the end of the day.

This is not a loss of technology for your child. Every teacher will have access to Chromebooks for their class. The district is committed to appropriate technology access for students in special education programs.

Why We Are Making This Change

This decision is the result of a careful, district-led planning process and reflects these important realities:

    •    At the elementary level, Chromebooks are needed for short, focused tasks — assessments, reading programs, and research stations. A shared classroom model supports this use while also encouraging more hands-on, collaborative, and screen-free learning time.

    •    The district’s Chromebook fleet is aging, and repair costs are high and growing. WCCUSD spends approximately $300,000 per year on Chromebook repairs.

How This Decision Was Made

This past spring, I asked our Informational Technology Services team to convene an Elementary Chromebook Workgroup (ECW) to study this question carefully and make a recommendation. All Tech Teacher Leaders and Elementary Principals were invited to be members of the Elementary Chromebook Workgroup. The group met four times between March and April 2026 and included 6 elementary teachers (K-6), 2 library services staff, 1 special education staff, 5 elementary principals, and 4 technology staff. Using a structured Interests-Based Decision-Making process, the workgroup:

    •    Reached consensus on a shared classroom model as the most sustainable and educationally appropriate path forward for elementary grades

    •    Identified and agreed on shared interests — including equitable access, student health and wellness, classroom learning, and fiscal sustainability

    •    Evaluated multiple deployment options against those shared interests

    •    Reviewed fleet data, repair records, and device usage patterns across the district

What This Will Look Like at Your School

Each school will receive a set of Chromebooks with approximately one device for every four students, organized into shared carts. Your child’s teacher will schedule time with a cart for lessons, assessments, and digital curriculum. Devices will be stored, charged, and maintained at school. Teachers will have everything they need to ensure your child has access when it matters.

ACTION REQUIRED: Please Return Your Child’s Chromebook

Because Chromebooks will no longer go home after this school year, we need all take-home devices returned to school before:  TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026

Please return:

✔  The Chromebook

✔  The charger

How to return: Your child can bring their Chromebook and charger to school as usual and leave it with their teacher at the end of the day. If the Chromebook is damaged or not working, please return it anyway — our team will assess it.

I am grateful to the staff who participated in this process and helped us find the right path forward for our students. Thank you for your partnership. Returning your child’s device on time is one of the most important things you can do to help us prepare for a great start to the next school year.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Cotton

Superintendent

West Contra Costa Unified School District

Posted on ParentSquare June 2

Chromebook decision information in the May 27, 2026 school board packet.