BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ The school district in Bismarck plans to buy more than 1,100 computers for students at all 17 elementary schools.

The Bismarck Tribune (http://bit.ly/1LSap7z ) reports the purchase is part of $1.6 million in budget enhancements approved by the school board for the upcoming school year.

Technology director Tanna Kincaid says the new Chromebooks will replace older Windows and Linux machines.

Superintendent Tamara Uselman says each new computer costs about $300 and lasts three to four years. She says it’s important students use stable computers because technology has become such an integral part of school learning.

The rest of the budget enhancement money will be used in a variety of ways, including literary resources, a reading core grant, moving portables and creating green space at Pioneer Elementary School.