Board approves purchase of 450 HP ProBook laptops to replace aging staff devices

The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board voted unanimously to purchase 450 HP ProBook laptops for staff, approving action item 26-02-41 on a first-and-final reading.

Jill Minnick introduced the recommendation and said the purchase addresses aging devices that are no longer compatible with modern security updates. "We need to retire the current devices by the end of this year," Minnick said. Staff explained the recommended HP ProBook configuration includes an up-to-date processor and 16 GB of RAM with upgrade paths available; the district expects a typical useful lifespan of about five years for the machines.

Mister Salzer, executive director of Integrated Technology Systems, explained timing concerns: supply and price shifts in the market—partly driven by increased demand for AI-capable hardware—make locking in current pricing prudent. The board discussed deployment options (direct swaps versus location standardization) and confirmed that replacement priority will address devices that cannot be updated to Windows 11.

The purchase is funded through the 2023 bond and capped at $310,734. Treasurer Kehoe moved the measure; Member Ahmed seconded it. The motion carried 7-0.