# Pennsylvania School Districts Adjust Technology Policies

Two Pennsylvania school districts, Bensalem Township and Wallingford-Swarthmore, have recently implemented significant changes to their educational technology policies in response to community feedback. Bensalem Township School District introduced a **$40 Chromebook technology fee per student (capped at $80 per family)** to offset rising maintenance and repair costs, effective September 2026, while offering financial assistance options to families. This fee aims to cover the first damage, repair, or replacement for students in grades 3-12. Meanwhile, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is revising its technology use policies by limiting online assessments and YouTube access for younger students and plans to establish a Technology Advisory Council to oversee device use in grades 6-12. These developments reflect growing parental concerns about technology use and device management in schools, signaling potential procurement opportunities for vendors specializing in educational technology support, device maintenance, and policy advisory services.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the introduction of technology fees as a funding mechanism for device upkeep, which may influence contract structures and vendor engagement.
- Vendors providing device repair, maintenance, and educational technology management services may find emerging opportunities in these districts.
- The formation of advisory councils and policy adjustments indicate evolving requirements for technology solutions that balance educational goals with community concerns.
- Organizations should consider how parental feedback and district policy changes could impact future procurement cycles and technology service contracts in Pennsylvania school districts.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- Wallingford-Swarthmore School District
- Bensalem Township School District
- Bristol Township School District

### Key Quotes
> "It’s almost like they were trying to hide it and sneak it in. I don’t like people trying to do that to me."
> — Shaina Achuff, Bensalem School District Parent

> "We recognize that fees represent an additional expense for families, and that concern was an important part of the Board’s consideration."
> — Karen Winters, School Board Member, Bensalem Township School District

> The decision to 3teach in place4 was 3out of an abundance of caution,4
> — Russell D. Johnston, Superintendent

### Sources
- [Parent Pushback to Chromebook Fee Triggers Bensalem Township School District Response - Bucks County Beacon](https://buckscountybeacon.com/2026/09/parent-pushback-to-chromebook-fee-triggers-bensalem-township-school-district-response) - Bucks County Beacon
- [Wallingford-Swarthmore School District among area schools making changes to technology use amid pushback](https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/wallingford-swarthmore-tech-policy-delco-foliage-20260917.html) - Inquirer.com