CPS requests one‑year renewal with Apple to replace end‑of‑life devices amid funding shift to schools

Chicago Public Schools staff asked the board on Sept. 10 to authorize a second one‑year renewal agreement with Apple Inc. with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $27,000,000 for Apple hardware, software and services districtwide. Acting Chief Information Officer Ed Wagner said the agreement provides a procurement avenue for schools and departments to purchase Apple products. CPS has standardized iPads for grades K–2 and said many end‑of‑life Apple devices are past the district’s typical five‑year lifecycle and no longer receive operating‑system updates, creating security risks. Wagner said dwindling federal funds require schools to use discretionary funds for replacements, and the requested NTE estimates replacing roughly 50% of end‑of‑life Apple devices. Why it matters: Device availability and security updates affect classroom instruction, equitable access to digital resources and district cybersecurity posture. Board members asked for details on lifecycle, recycling and negotiated pricing. Wagner said the district considers a five‑year lifecycle standard and that the district is exploring Apple partners that can return greater residual value for retired devices but may require centralized processing. He said the Apple education pricing structure is set nationally and negotiated margins are typically around services wrapped around devices. No vote was recorded at the agenda‑review session; the administration requested authorization at the Sept. 25 meeting.