When Rossville Middle School students return from spring break, they will have access to three mobile computer labs of 30 iPad Minis each; one lab for each grade.
The recent purchase approval by the Board of Education means approximately $124,000 worth of technology upgrades is en route for Walker County Schools.
The board also recently approved the purchase of 35 MacBook Pro laptops for special education classes at the Center for Evaluation and Consultation and 26 MacBook Pros and 100 iPad Minis for Naomi Elementary School.
The Center for Evaluation and Consultation will accept $45,541 in equipment purchased through Title VI-B Funds. Naomi’s $53,387 in new technology will be paid using government funding in the Naomi Elementary School-wide Title 1 Plan.
“The CEC technology is used by related teachers, therapists and support staff,” said Walker County Schools Coordinator of Integrated Technology Michael Tipton. “Naomi will use the laptops and iPads in the classrooms. They needed computers to increase student achievement.”
Walker County Schools is in the process of upgrading technology infrastructure across the board, he said. The upgrades will take place in all 21 system facilities.
“We can have up to 115 devices on the wireless router at one time,” said Tipton. “We are looking at the possibility of letting students bring their own devices to school such as iPads and Android tablets. We want to be able to handle whatever the future brings as far as technology goes.”