Local

School board to purchase computer carts from Apple

By DOMINIKA MASLIKOWSKI/The Daily News

Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:47 PM CDT

BULLHEAD CITY - The Bullhead City Elementary School District governing board approved an agreement with Apple Computers during a meeting on Thursday to purchase 30-unit computer carts on a three-year lease-purchase plan at about $200,000 per year. The agreement with Apple involves 19 carts.

Supt. William Allsbrooks said the district's technology is “so outdated” it can't afford to put one or two computers in each classroom and is currently upgrading its equipment with the eventual goal of having one computer per student.

Next year, Allsbrooks said, the ratio will be roughly one computer per eight students.

The board also approved a program that will allow staff to donate some of their accrued sick leave to another needy staff member.

Allsbrooks told board members that the state House of Representatives recently passed a funding measure that would spend $40 million next year to boost English-language instruction for non-native speakers.

The district had been waiting for the vote before they finalized their budget, Allsbrooks said, and the extra money will allow them to hire five new teachers.