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Wentzville board approves purchase of iPads for K–6, partial staff refresh
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Summary
After a staff presentation and questions, the board voted to purchase Apple iPads for K–6 (rolling some grades from Chromebooks) and to perform a partial device refresh for staff, opting to buy devices rather than lease due to funding uncertainties.
The Wentzville R‑IV Board on April 23 approved a one‑time purchase of Apple iPads for K–6 classrooms and a partial device refresh for staff, following a presentation from district staff and the technology team.
Katie (district presenter) explained the district’s pilot of iPads in two elementary schools and said the move would replace older Chromebooks in third through fifth grades with iPads, cycle newer Chromebooks up to middle and high school grades, and preserve Chromebooks at the 7–12 level while the district studies longer‑term strategy. “We have something in the district called faculty advisory ... we are working at our high schools just with Chromebook repairs and just some very aging devices,” Katie said, describing pilots and teacher support through tech coaches.
Katie told the board the district opted to purchase devices rather than lease to avoid recurring costs in the face of funding uncertainty. The district plans to buy external keyboards to check out where needed and already tested Apple Classroom and screen‑management features during pilots. Board members asked about whether the change would introduce new instructional methods; Katie said the intent is to streamline devices and support teacher practices, not to force new instructional models.
The board moved and the motion carried to purchase the devices and proceed with a partial staff refresh. The item passed on a voice vote recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: the technology office will refine procurement details and phase deployments consistent with building pilots and teacher training.
