There is a lot information out there on social media regarding the Mendon Upton Regional proposed FY15/16 school budget. It can be confusing to tell fact from fiction. Upton Daily will be running several posts diving into the budget to figure out what’s true, what’s not.
Today’s topic is tackling the statements made about iPads and the amount of money spent on technology. There is some information out there that might lead the community to believe the district has spent 2.5 million dollars on iPads. There is a call to stop the iPad program and in the same breath the statement that the district has spent 2.5 million on technology since 2012.
Fact: The district has invested approximately $500,000 in the iPad program.
|
iPads |
$350,000 |
|
Cases for iPads |
$24,000 |
|
Wireless Upgrades (Nipmuc & Miscoe) |
$50,000 |
|
JAMF Casper Software |
$7,000 |
|
Technology Integration Specialist (including benefits) |
$83,000 |
|
Total 1:1 Initiative Cost |
$514,000 |
It is true the district has spent 2.5 million dollars on technology since 2012. The 2.5 million includes all technology used in all schools including things like the computer programs to run the schools heating systems and the internet. Here are just some items included in the 2.5 million:
- The schools phone systems
- The internet
- The cost to maintain and run the computers which control the heating systems
- PCs
- Routers
- Hubs
- iPad initiative outlined above (500k)
- iParent the online system where parents access up to date information on how a student is performing
- Naviance system
- Repairs to equipment,
- Cables
- Servers both on-site and virtual
- Budget software
- Microsoft license for windows and office
- Assessment software, library software, etc.
- Anything that involves some level of technology, computer program ….
UPTON DAILY 
Paying for education is an investment in our collective future, and it has been one of the main drivers of American success. As with any investment, some expenditures are required, and sometimes those investments are significant.
Technology is not going away, so it must be a part of our children’s education if we want to give them what they’ll need to succeed. Therefore, we need to invest money on technology.
Always omitted from this discussion is the fact that we spend nearly twice as much per student who we send to BVT, where their investment in technology is applauded, not villainized. Why is this? Why should the investment in tech be OK for students at BVT but not at MURSD? Why is it not even questioned?
For a fair and balanced discussion of this we should be asking the same questions of both districts that we are part of. If tech is a worthwhile expenditure for one group of students, it should be for both. If we are not wiling to spend on technology for all of our students, then we should not be willing to spend on tech for ANY of our students.
On a related note……. why has the districts proposed budget increase of 6+% not been brought into question. All other local communities that I have researched are requesting increases of 2% -3%???????????