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Ann Arbor moves toward updated device fleet; board told of MacBook pilot, Chromebook refresh and buyback plan
Summary
District IT proposed a phased device refresh: administrative MacBook Air pilots and broad Apple purchases for staff and high-school students, Chromebook replenishment, and a four-year buyback strategy to recover ~$1.9–2.3M; trustees asked about training, equity and total cost of ownership.
District technology staff recommended a multi-year device refresh at the May 21 meeting that would pilot Apple MacBook Air administrative devices, purchase MacBook Air laptops for high-school classrooms, refresh district Chromebooks, and execute a buyback program to recoup value after four years.
Technology leadership said procurement recommendations include two vendor awards (People Driven Technologies for Dell devices and Apple Education for MacBook Airs), with bond funds paying most of the purchase and an expected buyback minimum of about $367.50 per device at four years. Staff presented a six-week pilot at Huron High School that tested learning scenarios (active learning, mobile learning, equity/accessibility) and collected student and teacher feedback to craft device-management profiles and training plans.
IT staff emphasized a full support and warranty plan (AppleCare) and a staged rollout that includes train-the-trainer and student-leader sessions. The district noted expected operational savings from dismantling some dedicated computer labs and repurposing ~5,400 Chromebooks across schools, plus a projected partial offset of future capital needs from device resale revenue. Trustees asked about equity, training, and buyback assumptions. Technology staff said they will publish training plans, continue student feedback sessions, and use buyback proceeds to fund future refresh cycles.
