By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board continued its debate over spending $335,750 on laptop computers for students at Hays High School at its meeting Monday night.
The district’s technology committee is recommending selling its current Microsoft Surface tablets in favor of purchasing Dell Latitude 3189 two-in-one laptops. Sale of the Surfaces would reduce the cost of the project to an estimated $258,000.
Scott Summers, technology director, said the district has had problems with the Surfaces and had to send many back to Microsoft for manufacturing defects. The warranty on the Surfaces runs out at the end of the year.
Some board members questioned the choice of device and asked why the committee had not considered Chromebooks, which are less expensive.
Board member Greg Schwartz wanted to know how the recommended computers with their touch-screen capability integrated into classroom instruction.
“I have an iPad and I use it to take notes on too, but it is a very expensive notepad,” he said. “That is my concern is that is if that is all we are doing is taking notes on it and it doesn’t integrate into education, that is approximately $200,000 of money we are spending on a device that we could be spending on deferred maintenance or other items. (We could) still be giving the kids the opportunity to have the technology in their hands, but maybe not the latest and greatest and best, but something that is adequate and fits their needs.”
HHS Principal Martin Straub said the Dell laptops were the best device for the price that meets the teachers’ and students’ needs. He said the computers fit how the students are learning and engaging with technology.
Board member Paul Adams, who has children in high school and volunteers with high school students, said he has seen the students seamlessly switching between text mode and tablet mode. He said students are using the devices to put together videos and PowerPoint presentations for extracurricular activities that are important to the civic engagement piece of the new state assessment standards.
Schwartz came back to the issue of money.
“It is difficult to understand how we are going to justify asking the taxpayers to spend more on a monthly basis when we aren’t willing to look at sacrificing anything,” he said.
Schwartz went further to suggest the district have a bring-your-own device policy. Families who could not afford a device would be provided a device such as a Chromebook.
Adams said he thought the board should trust the committee of educators who have researched the needs of the students and teachers.
Assistant Superintendent Shanna Dinkel said the technology committee considered Chromebooks when it made its first purchase of computers but determined they did not meet students’ educational needs. Therefore, the committee did not consider the Chromebooks in this round of purchasing.
Board president Lance Bickle argued technology has become web-based, and Chromebooks would satisfy the needs of students today.
“Going through the budgets, every little bit counts,” he said. “If we can save $50,000 or $100,000 here that can go toward (other things) … it is hard to argue. $200,000 is $200,000, and it could be used for other needs in our district. I hope people keep that in mind that we have to look at all aspects not just technology.”
He also said he would like to look at the five-year capital needs review that is coming up at the board’s April 30 meeting before making a decision on the computer purchase.
Board member Mandy Fox asked Straub if the computer purchase is the top capital need at the high school.
“I don’t think we can sacrifice instruction, because we have great building needs,” Straub said.
He added the money being budgeted for computers would not solve all of the maintenance needs in the district.
Straub noted the school has had two of the highest ACT scores the school has ever had in the last two years. Increased scores can’t be attributed entirely to technology, but he said the computers play into how teachers teach and students learn.
The board asked the technology committee to bring back information about why Chromebooks were not considered to its next meeting. The board is set to vote on the computer purchase at its April 30 meeting.