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USD 383 approves staff iPads but deadlocks on student iPad purchase
Summary
The board approved a $162,000 purchase of staff iPads (5-1) while a $388,800 proposal to buy student iPads failed on a 3-3 tie; trustees debated classroom use, costs and the timing of 1:1 technology investments.
MANHATTAN, Kan.
The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board voted Monday to approve a $162,000 purchase of iPads for district staff but failed to adopt a separate $388,800 plan to buy student iPads. Board member Lou moved the staff purchase from Apple Inc., citing anticipated savings from replacing older timeclock hardware with an iPad-based system; that motion passed 5-1. "That's a significant savings," a trustee said during discussion of replacing time clocks and integrating the device into business and HR systems.
The student device purchase (moved by Greg, seconded by Kristen) ended in a 3-3 tie after the president said she would vote no, citing the need for more discussion about classroom use and effectiveness of 1:1 devices. The motion failed. Board members who opposed the student purchase said they want clearer evidence about instructional use and appropriate technology policies; supporters argued for equipment that supports instruction and district systems. One trustee announced the board will revisit the student-device proposal at a future meeting.
What was at stake: The staff purchase was described in the meeting materials as part of a broader software and business-system update that would replace multiple physical time clocks and reduce maintenance costs; the student purchase would have been a significant capital outlay and raised repeated questions about pedagogy and 1:1 programs.
Votes at a glance: Staff iPads (Apple Inc.) $162,000 ' approved 5-1. Student iPads (Apple Inc.) $388,800 ' failed 3-3.
Next steps: Trustees said they will continue discussing technology strategy and will bring the student-device proposal back for further consideration; no additional procurement was authorized at this meeting.
