OKCPS Preps Massive Electronics Pickup Ahead Of Virtual Start

Tens of thousands of iPads, Chromebooks and other electronic devices will be handed out to Oklahoma City Public Schools families later this month.

The district opted to delay the first day of school until Aug. 31 and to begin completely virtual for the first nine weeks. As a result, each student will be receiving a device to keep up with classes and homework.

Eric Hileman, the OKCPS information technology director said the district has worked for the better part of a decade towards getting an electronic device to each student.

The COVID-19 pandemic put that effort into “warp speed,” he said.

Choosing to operate virtually has resulted in OKCPS moving “lightyears faster” towards accessibility to electronics, Hileman said. 

“One-to-one is not just about equipment. It’s a DNA shift in culture,” he said. “It’s a shift in how we teach and learn.”

Families will be able to pick up their device(s) starting on Aug. 24, Hileman said. Each school will hold a drive-thru for parents and students.

OKCPS is set to distribute nearly 11,000 iPads to K-3 students, nearly 23,000 Chromebooks to 4-12 graders, and more than 5,000 Wi-Fi hotspots.

Hileman said he is excited to help the district reach the one-to-one milestone.

“Digital equity is a huge issue with me, and we provide that equity to all kids, those devices to all kids, we’re doing wonderful things,” he said.