USD 383 board approves $388,800 in student iPads after extended debate, 5-2
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Summary
After more than an hour of discussion about instructional use, equity and long-term costs, the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board voted 5-2 to approve a $388,800 purchase of student iPads from Apple Inc.; board members said they will continue public engagement and review technology use in April.
The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education voted 5-2 on Feb. 18 to give final approval for the purchase of student iPads from Apple Inc. for $388,800, a motion made by Greg and seconded by Kurt.
Board members spent substantial time debating the expense and how iPads are used in classrooms. Opponents said parents and some site councils have raised concerns about overuse and the devices' educational value; supporter comments framed the devices as essential instructional tools and part of a long-standing equity goal to provide all students access to learning technology. "I've heard from lots of parents in our community ... that there are concerns about how much and when and for what purpose the iPads in the district are used," said Courtney. Supporters pushed back that technology is an instructional resource, not a curriculum, and noted the district's earlier goal of a 1-to-1 environment: "Technology should be viewed through the same lens as an instructional resource that supports teaching and learning," a proponent said.
The board agreed to continue the conversation. Staff and trustees said the AI work group and district administrators will bring a longer-term review back to the board in April to examine usage, updates and equity implications. Several trustees asked for more public feedback and suggested parent input sessions before any broader policy changes.
The motion to approve the purchase carried 5-2. The board recorded the dollar amount ($388,800) and the vendor (Apple Inc., Cupertino, California) in making the final procurement decision. Trustees said replacing aging devices is a factor in the timing of the purchase and that some device-dependent student supports (for example, accessibility tools tied to individual education plans) were part of the district's rationale.
The board emphasized that further review of technology use, public input and the AI work group's forthcoming recommendations will inform future purchases and any adjustments to device deployment.