AAPS Board Briefed on Tech Purchases

The Ann Arbor Public School board was briefed on two purchase recommendations for Apple computers at its Feb. 13, 2013 meeting. The first recommendation was to appropriate $1,974,100 to purchase 1,900 iMac 21-inch desktop computers to replace the eMac computers currently in use in computer labs district-wide. The new machines will be running Mountain Lion, the most current Mac operating system.

The new computers will be used for Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) testing next fall, according to a memo from Randy Trent, executive director of physical properties.

The second recommendation was to purchase 400 MacBook Pro 13-inch laptops to replace the older laptops in one computer cart at each elementary school at a cost of $457,600. The older computer cart laptops will then be used to replace other failing laptops.

Apple, Inc. had initially offered the standard 7% educational discount plus 13%. On Feb. 11, the company approved a larger discount to AAPS, which translates to an amount between 15 and 25% off the list price. The new discount is reflected in the total purchase amounts.

The new computers would be paid for out of the district’s technology bond.

The purchases will need a board vote at a future meeting in order to be approved.

This brief was filed from the board room of the Ann Arbor District Library in downtown Ann Arbor at Fifth and William. A more detailed report of the meeting will follow: [link]