Richland One Laptop Shortage Leaves Students Waiting Weeks Into School Year

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nearly a month into the new school year, many students in Richland School District One are still waiting for their laptops, leaving parents concerned and school leaders facing mounting questions.

The district admitted the shortage stems from a delay in ordering, affecting both middle and high school students who were promised personal laptops on the first day of classes.

District Leaders Respond

Superintendent Todd Walker addressed the issue during a recent school board meeting, acknowledging the frustration and pledging solutions.

“Due to a delay in ordering, most of our middle schools and high schools are experiencing some level of shortage of laptops for students,” Walker said. “I want to say to our students and our parents, and this is the headline, that we can and we will do better. I also want to recognize that our students need laptops, and no student will be penalized for not having a laptop to do their school assignments while we are experiencing this delay.”

Walker said a cross-departmental team has been tasked with addressing the shortage and improving the ordering process to prevent similar problems in the future.

Parents Voice Frustrations

While some parents expressed appreciation for Walker’s transparency, others said communication about the shortage has left families uncertain about how it is affecting day-to-day learning.

Richland One Commissioner Aaron Bishop acknowledged the concern, noting that honesty is key. “You can’t fix it by saying it was a delay in ordering. Just for transparency … you’re dealing with it, and I want to acknowledge that,” Bishop said.

One parent from Hopkins Middle School said her son had not shared many details, only that students were not being allowed to bring devices home — a policy that has left families wondering how homework will be managed.

Relief Expected Soon

District officials said more than 4,000 laptops are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Until then, students will not face academic penalties for being unable to complete assignments requiring digital access.

The district also emphasized that it is changing its ordering process to ensure future shipments are in place before the school year begins.

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