A decision by the Dunkirk City School District to reduce its numbers of take-home computers is understandable. Besides buying the devices, there was a tremendous cost associated with damage and repairs.

That was the recent report to the school board by Jeremy Dobek, district technology director. “We found the kids weren’t needing to take the computers home at younger ages. … In the high school level, secondary building, there was a lot of damage, a lot of missing devices,” he said.

Students still allowed to take the mobile computers home at present time include those attending BOCES and those in Advanced Placement classes.

Dobek then broke down some savings that will come with fewer tablets leaving the building. Last year, he reported, 218 devices had broken screens, 150 were lost or not returned and 75 were damaged beyond repair. The total cost of repairs was $103,068.

Keeping those computers available — and within the school — may help reduce those expenses in the future.