Leonardtown & Chopticon High Schools have recently announced a new policy requiring all students to use school-issued laptops and prohibiting the use of personal devices. This is only an LHS & CHS policy—leaving GMHS as the only other public high school in St. Mary’s County that does not have this restriction. While the intention may be to create consistency, this decision creates more problems than it solves.

The laptops issued to many of us—especially current seniors—are outdated, slow, and bulky. Many have not been refreshed in years, while incoming 9th graders receive newer devices. For example, my issued laptop takes 12 minutes just to boot up. Countless students face similar frustrations, making it nearly impossible to complete work efficiently.

Our school’s IT help desk is already stretched thin. Tickets can take several days to be addressed, leaving students without functioning technology for critical assignments. Forcing every student to rely solely on these devices will only increase delays and strain the system even further.

Meanwhile, there have been no major issues with students using personal laptops. Many families have invested in devices that are faster, lighter, and more reliable. Such as myself, who spent 750 dollars on a brand new MacBook, that I have completed the SAT with. I have seen firsthand, delays continue to happen during testing because students were facing issues with their issued laptop. Taking away that option does not create fairness—it creates unnecessary obstacles to learning.

Students are still adjusting to the strict cell phone restrictions that came from the county last year. Adding another restrictive policy at Leonardtown and Chopticon only fuels frustration and reduces student productivity.

We respectfully ask Leonardtown and Chopticon High Schools to reconsider this rule and allow students the option to use personal laptops. Doing so will improve efficiency, reduce the burden on IT, and let students focus on their education instead of fighting with outdated technology.

Sign this petition if you believe Leonardtown and Chopticon students should have the right to use personal laptops.