Argos School Board members approved the purchase of new technology devices for 2018 through 2022 when they met Monday evening.
Superintendent Ned Speicher explained that that school corporation’s current technology lease was up so officials chose to purchase some new devices for students at every grade level as well as computers for teachers to help guide instruction.
“In kindergarten through second grade, the students will be using iPads.” Speicher continued, “Starting in grade three and going all the way through grade 12 students will have Chromebooks and we also purchased MacBook Pros for our teachers.”
Superintendent Speicher said the iPads and MacBooks will be purchased through Apple while the Chrome Books will be bought from Hewlett Packard. According to Speicher, the lowest quote provided for the iPads was $178 each, while the low quote for Chromebooks came in at $293 a piece. The MacBooks are proposed to cost the school around $796 per computer.
Speicher said the number of devices that will be purchased really depends on enrollment. However, he stated that he knows at least 600 new devices will need to be obtained. The cost for students to rent the devices is incorporated into the annual textbook fee.
In addition to purchasing the new technology, board members also agreed to allow students to buy their old devices from the school. He said any devices that are not purchased will be saved as back-ups.
While students will be permitted to buy their current device at some point before the end of the school year, board members have not established a final price quite yet. The matter will be readdressed during future meetings.
