Schools

High School's iPad Testing Scaled Back

Board votes to reduce the number of iPads in teachers' hands to test applications in the classroom.

When students return to classes in the fall, many of their teachers will be using Apple iPads to access their notes, write on instructional whiteboards and present video lessons.

School offcials had wanted to have about half of the teachers using the tablet computers this year, in a continuation and expansion of a pilot project for teachers started in the 2010-2011 school year, but the board of education voted to reduce the number purchased from 80 to 60.

Voting at the June 20 meeting, the board approved the purchase, along with the purchase of 55 iMac computers to replace older computers in the graphic arts departments and photo labs. The total cost of the purchase is $93,036, reduced from $110,212 planned for the 80 iPads.  

Find out what's happening in Warrenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Board member Lisa DiMizio said she wanted to see the board keep some of the money in reserve.

"We've had a lot of structural issues in this school," she said. "I'm just not sure what we're trying to accomplish."

Find out what's happening in Warrenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Superintendent Frances Stromsland noted the resolution's 80 iPads was a reduced figure from the district's original plans, but the board overwhelmingly supported a reduction—especially since the tablets were available in packs of 10 and no additional discount would be lost for reducing the purchase.

Paul Seelig supported reducing the number purchased noting, "This is a substantial number."

"Let's put our toe in the water but not in a significant way," Seelig said before making a motion to approve the purchase of 60 iPads.

The change reduced the total purchase by about $10,000, which was directed back the district's reserve accounts.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here