RSU 22 board approves three-year lease for 700 iPads for early grades

The RSU 22 School Board voted unanimously to approve a three-year lease with Apple for 700 iPads, the board heard during its meeting. The purchase was structured as a three-year lease to take advantage of 0% financing; the lease includes a $1 buyout at the end of the third year.

Board members and staff said the devices are intended primarily for Pre-K through grade 2, with additional carts and some teacher devices at those grade levels. The board was told the arrangement was part of the district’s approved budget and that spreading the payments over three years was intended to reduce the immediate impact on taxpayers.

“We had originally started with the total dollar amount for all of the iPads, but we found out that for 0% interest, we could space that out into 3 years,” a staff presenter said during the discussion. He also said that if the board approved the lease, “Lester and I will sign the documents, indicating that the board has approved it, and we will include the minutes into that section as well.”

Board members asked about insurance and device protection. Staff confirmed the district must maintain insurance coverage that would cover loss, theft, damage or destruction sufficient to pay replacement costs; the board was told the district’s existing coverage and lease paperwork language were expected to satisfy that requirement. The exact insurance language and whether an additional policy was required will be clarified by district business staff after the meeting.

The motion to approve the lease, submitted as the recommended resolution in the meeting materials, passed unanimously. The board recorded that the district will execute the lease documents following the vote and incorporate the approval into the minutes.