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Farmington board approves $3.7 million Apple device refresh after debate over K–3 iPads
Summary
The Farmington Public School District board voted 4–2 on May 12 to approve a $3,693,652.50 technology purchase from Apple that will replace aging iPads and MacBook Airs; a proposed amendment to eliminate K–3 take‑home 1:1 iPads failed after extended discussion on screen time, classroom use and funding sources.
FARMINGTON, Minn. — The Farmington Public School District board voted 4–2 on May 12 to approve a $3,693,652.50 purchase agreement with Apple Inc. to replace district iPads and staff MacBook Air laptops and to renew related support services.
The purchase covers new iPads for learners, keyboards and cases for secondary learners, MacBook Air laptops for staff, AppleCare Select support, asset tagging and four years of mobile device management licensing. Board discussion centered on whether the district should continue a 1:1 iPad program for kindergarten through third grade and on how the district will pay for the purchase.
Board members and staff said the current devices are six years old and due for replacement. Andrew, a staff member who presented the proposal, told the board that Apple offered 0% financing but recommended using a combination of about $1 million from proceeds of prior iPad sales (assigned fund…
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