Binghamton School District Computer Distribution Raises Concerns

Some parents of children in the Binghamton City School District say there were logistical problems with the way laptop computers were distributed.

Chromebook computers were given to students at Binghamton schools over the past several days. The school district is using full remote instruction for all students this month as reopening gets underway during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One person who observed the crowd of students gathered outside Binghamton High School Monday said it was "absolutely embarrassing." He said with "200 to 300" people waiting, only some were wearing masks and there was "no social distancing."

Students outside Binghamton High School as Chromebook computers were distributed on September 14, 2020. (Photo: WNBF News)

Binghamton city councilwoman Angela Riley took her daughter to the school to obtain her computer. Riley said the situation "was unbelievable." She said she wrote letters to the high school principal and school superintendent Tonia Thompson about the matter.

The councilwoman said those at the school appeared "overwhelmed" with the situation.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Riley encouraged parents to write to the board of education to let officials know how they felt about the distribution process.

Riley expressed concern for students who are planning for fully-remote learning to protect vulnerable people at home. She noted many of those students were close to others, raising the risk of spreading COVID-19.

School superintendent Thompson and other district officials were not available Tuesday afternoon to discuss the concerns.