Windows computer devices purchased for Hays High (VIDEO)

windows devices purchase.00_04_57_12.Still001 — Technology Committee members Jeannie Michaelis, Brian Drennon and Martin Straub talk about the Windows devices recommendation for Hays High School

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Although there were more questions and more discussion about keyboards and platforms, Hays USD 489 school board members finally voted 5-1 for a $673,532 purchase of Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3 Microsoft Windows computer devices for Hays High School students and staff.

Outgoing board member Greg Schwartz voted against the purchase; board member Josh Waddell was absent.

The district Technology Committee’s recommendation of 820 Surface 3s for student devices, 60 Surface Pro 3s for staff devices and 88 Lenovo c50-30 Desktops for the HHS and Hays Middle School computer labs will be purchased using the state’s contract with Microsoft.

“Is this the last time we’re going to hear about computer devices?” Schwartz asked Technology Director Brian Drennon and Technology Committee members Jeannie Michaelis and Martin Straub of Hays High.

“We’ve handled a lot of machines the past few months,” said Straub, who is the HHS principal. “We feel this is the best for Hays High.

“We felt very good about the day we made the decision. We just walked away saying it seems evident this is the best machine for us,” he added, as Michaelis and Drennon nodded in agreement.

Last month, the board voted 4-2 to approve the financing of 2,100 Apple iPads for grades K-8.

bickle keyboard — USD 489 board member Lance Bickle asks about the choice between touch and type keyboards.

Drennon, Michaelis and Straub were asked why the Technology Committee had chosen Microsoft products for the high school when the lower grades will be using Apple products.

“We really feel like Windows is the best thing,” Straub said. He also considers it an advantage for graduating seniors to be familiar with both platforms. “I think our biggest challenge and our biggest responsibility at the high school is to make our kids competitive. All things being equal, and they have great job interviews, I’m going to hire the person who can do either.”

The board also unanimously approved the lowest bid financing for $373,532 from Bank of Hays at a 1.24% rate with no closing fee. Executive Director of Finance Tracy Kaiser explained that $300,000 will also be used from capital outlay for the remaining portion of the purchase.

In other business, board members voted 4-2 to approve the Kansas State Department of Education Technology Plan. KSDE requires school districts to submit a technology plan every three years. The Hays plan includes the district’s mission, vision, growth measures, infrastructure, utilization of technology, and policies that guide that usage.

Bickle and Schwartz voted against the measure, preferring a delay until the new school board is seated in July.

Director of Curriculum Shanna Dinkel said the district’s five-year technology plan is “a document in progress” and can be updated and amended as needed.