May 14th, 2025
The Geneva Area City School District takes pride in providing a 1:1 technology platform for our students to support their learning. With Chromebooks being distributed to students (grades 6-12) as well as available for school use (grades K-5), our expectation is that each device is handled appropriately by our students. Unfortunately in some cases, these devices are mishandled by students in what is to be deemed vandalism of school property.
The influence of social media platforms, although positive in many ways, also leads to challenges for school districts. Unfortunately, there is a trend circulating on TikTok involving Chromebooks in which students are inserting items including paper clips or hair pins into the USB port. This action is likely to cause smoke and/or fire while also destroying the motherboard and rendering the device completely unusable. For more specifics related to this situation, please access the following link:
This situation, should it arise within our District, will be considered vandalism. School disciplinary actions will be taken in addition to a fine, made payable to the Geneva Area City Schools, for the full replacement cost of the device.
Furthermore, employees are mandated to report to safety forces such as the police and fire departments, in accordance with state law, whenever a fire or potential for fire occurs. These safety forces have their own guidelines and protocols to follow. Any decision to file or make recommendations for criminal charges to occur, which is likely to be the case, are based on their guidelines and are the sole responsibility of their own departments. The Geneva Area City School District and our safety forces are two separate entities and we, as a District, have no control over their actions as they adhere to their respective guidelines.
We’re providing this information to inform our school community of this unfortunate social media challenge that is having to be addressed in our District as well as others across the state. Please speak to your student(s) to reinforce the responsibility they have with these District-provided devices as well as the actions that will be taken should the situation arise. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to address this, and further social media “challenges” as they occur.
Sincerely,
Dave Riley
Dave Riley, Interim Superintendent