Washington board OKs new computers for high school

WASHINGTON - Washington High School students and staff will be receiving new computers next year.

Technology Director Jeff Brock said 500 student computers and 10 teacher computers will be replaced on a three-year lease with Apple.

The school board approved the lease for $688,865.

The current student laptops are on their fourth year, Brock said. The new laptops will be 13-inch MacBook Airs. He said the new laptops have upgraded processors that show significant improvement in performance and extended battery life.

The staff will receive the same laptops but with a larger hard dive and a different color.

The old computers will be sent to a recycler to help cover the costs of the new devices. Brock said they anticipate this to cover 30 percent of the new purchase. Brock said the devices have a large resale value, higher than last year. He said there is a high demand for computers from schools and other organizations.

The school board accepted a bid of $193,898 for the current devices from Total Technology.

If the new laptops arrive in time, teachers will start getting new laptops this school year.

A few other future technology improvements includes updating technology in the high school and middle school, installing projector in Stewart gym, installing video and audio in the Lincoln gym and a new registration system.