Plymouth students will soon be trading in their MacBooks for iPads. On Tuesday, the school board approved a lease agreement with Apple that will give iPads to students at all grade levels, starting next school year. That was in spite of some concerns from students.
A student government representative presented a list of potential issues, including a lack of a built-in keyboard, potential glitches with online testing platforms, and concerns about durability. iPads are currently used by students in the lower grades, while the rest use MacBooks.
Plymouth Schools Chief Tech Officer Bruce Johnson said he hadn’t been a big supporter of iPads in the past, but Apple has made several enhancements over the years. He said that not every student will get an iPad keyboard as part of the deal, but keyboards will be available for checkout from their school’s media center. MacBooks will also be available for students who need them. Teachers will get to keep their MacBooks, along with their new iPads. Classrooms will also be outfitted with Apple TV.
The main reason for the switch to iPads is the cost. The school corporation will pay Apple just under $606,000 each year of the four-year lease. Johnson said that will save the school corporation almost $200,000 a year, and the rental fee for families will be almost cut in half.
He said a committee had been formed to research the change, with teachers from all schools, grade levels, and subjects. But the student representative said no one had asked them, and a poll of high schoolers showed an overwhelming preference for MacBooks. School board members were confident that students will be able to adapt, but wanted a followup from them once the change is made.
The school board also voted Tuesday to sell some of the existing devices that will no longer be needed. Sealed bids will be accepted for about 3,000 MacBooks and 650 iPads through June 17.
Board members also approved the sale of the current band trailer. Bids on the 1983 semi-tractor trailer will be taken until April 30.
