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Board approves $2.4 million technology refresh, adopts MacBook Neo for students and staff
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Summary
The board unanimously approved a technology equipment refresh that administration said costs about $2.4 million and will upgrade ninth-grade student devices and staff laptops to MacBook Neo models while preserving roughly neutral overall refresh cost compared with prior cycles.
The North Allegheny School Board on April 15 approved a summer 2026 technology equipment refresh that administration said will upgrade student and staff devices, including MacBook Neo laptops for ninth graders and staff, as part of a roughly $2.4 million refresh.
Dr. Shaw presented the item and said the refresh addresses device quality and battery-life concerns raised by students and faculty. Technology staff defended the choice after board questions about alternatives such as Mac minis. "This refresh came in at $2,400,000," said a district technology official, and the administration said the plan is roughly cost neutral compared with prior refresh cycles while increasing device reliability.
Board members raised the possibility of using Mac minis or reallocating some laptop purchases to desktops, and suggested exploring volunteer or refurbishment strategies to reduce costs. Technology staff said Mac mini desktops had use cases in labs but district needs for flexible instruction and integrated cameras favored MacBook Neo laptops for staff and ninth-grade students.
The board approved the refresh by voice vote; administration said the purchase replaces aging devices and improves students' and teachers' ability to complete high-stakes testing and daily instruction without frequent crashes or battery problems.
