Board approves technology replacement purchases after supply‑cost increases

Paul, the district's director of information technology, told the board the technology plan follows established system life cycles to avoid large single‑year expenditures and to maintain instructional continuity. He said hardware costs have risen about 20% due to global supply constraints and silicon shortages, prompting staff to reduce requested quantities for staff laptops and desktops this year and to alter life‑cycle timing for devices at some grade levels.

Key changes include purchasing fewer staff laptops (75 this cycle instead of a larger prior request), reducing desktop purchases, delaying tablet purchases, and transitioning fifth‑grade student devices into middle school rotations to save approximately $17,575 annually. The proposal also includes initial replacement purchases for security cameras (about 30 units) and a plan to pursue grants where possible.

Paul said protective cases for student devices were estimated at about $15,000; staff plan to acquire those as a separate purchase under the district's $20,000 threshold. Board members supported the life‑cycle approach and thanked the technology team for balancing cost and instructional needs. The motion to approve the technology purchases passed 6‑0.