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Hernando Today

Schools May Get Technology Boost

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By LINNEA BROWN, Hernando Today

Published: February 20, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Technology in Hernando County schools will likely get a major "shot in the arm" in June.

During a Hernando County School Board workshop Tuesday, board members applauded a potential four-year, $8.1 million deal to lease computers from Dell. "This is going to make every school seem like a new school," board member Diane Bonfield said.

About 11,000 brand-new, leased machines would replace the district's current policy of buying 700 new computers per year. It would provide computers for every classroom and a laptop for every teacher. The district currently has 10,474 machines, many of which are older than three years old, management information systems director Cindy Peters said.

"Think back to the machine you had in 1998," Peters said. "You probably don't own it anymore, and if you do, you get very frustrated with it. This is the equipment that we're expecting them to learn on, and we are not preparing them adequately (for the workforce or college) using the equipment we currently have."

While the contract is expensive - $2.2 million from the district's capital improvement fund in the next year alone - it would include a maintenance agreement, with technicians standing by to install the computers in June and conduct repairs as needed.

The district currently spends $700,000 per year on computers, with much funding coming from grants. However, much additional funding is spent on maintenance and repair costs, and students are missing out on opportunities to learn, Peters said.

"We're fighting a losing battle with obsolescence," she said. "With a machine that's five years old, there's only so much 'Band-Aid'-ing you can do. It's essential that we provide our students with better technology."

The state of Florida recommends that school districts aim to replace computers every three years. Many other districts have already implemented technology leasing programs.

"This is going to change the lives of every student and teacher in the district," board member John Sweeney said.

Under the new agreement, all computers would be replaced every four years, and the district's old computers would be either bought by the district or sold to local families at a discounted rate.

Board member Pat Fagan referred to the potential plan as "a new day" in Hernando County.

"I think you're going to see a real change in attitude about computers in the school district," he said. "This is like having an early Christmas."

The board is expected to vote on the official proposal in coming months.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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