Agenda Item Details
Meeting

Feb 21, 2012 - Regular Board Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

Category

K. Fiscal Services Discussion Items

Subject

10. Approve student tablet initiative for the 2012-2013 school year. (F/I: See below.)

Type

Action (Consent)

Fiscal Impact

No

No fiscal impact on the general budget

Issue:
Student tablet initiative for the 2012-13 year.
Superintendent's Recommendation:
Approve student tablet initiative for the 2012-13 school year.
Analysis:
As we move to the future, technology is going to be an integral part of the educational process. Classrooms will be redefined and the
district will need to set a foundation for the 2014 adoption of National Common Core Standards and on-line assessments.
In light of this movement and the need for our students to take an active role in their learning, staff is recommending an initiative to
bring tablets into the classroom. Starting with the 2012-2013 school year, all 7th grade students would be issued a tablet instead of
textbooks. All textbooks would be available on-line in one format or another as we move forward.
Staff has begun this process by having a group of about 25 teachers (CIA –Technology) review four different tablet devices. They
have evaluated each device, based on a number of factors, and selected the iPad.
As we move forward with this initiative, there will be much to do. Staff will need to begin quickly to prepare for the 2012-13 school
year. Within this proposal is funding for:
Tablets with cases
Mobile device management system – to push out software to all devices
Licensing of software to filter access
Additional wireless ports throughtout middle schools
Staff development for teachers
Help desk and repair service system
The Sweetwater District has also been selected as a pilot district to work with Cox Communications to offer low-cost internet access
to the families of qualifying students.
As we roll out these devices, staff will begin looking for additional funding sources and grants to be able to continue as each new 7th
grade begins. The district standard would be to provide students with devices instead of textbooks.
The total cost for the first year of the project would be $4.3 million. The project would be funded as follows:
Proposition O (language allows for technology)
1,800,000
Mello Roos funding for new schools
1,500,000

 QZAB funding
Lottery funding for Textbooks

500,000
500,000

Fiscal Impact:
Noted Above.

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