The Governor hinted at it yesterday, and then announced it today: laptops in the morning, laptops in the evening, and laptops at suppertime!
Here’s an excerpt from the MPBN story (“Governor Offers More Details On “State of the State” Initiatives“):
Yet, when it came to expanding the laptop computer program, the Governor was able to increase the number of units simply through bulk purchasing. He credited that accomplishment to Susan Gendron, his Commissioner of Education. “She was able to get them to expand their coverage with the existing appropriation. She is going to be helping me to make sure that the next car I buy is at a good price,” he joked. “Because she was able work the deal, so it’s the existing amount of money we’ve already appropriated for the number–she got them to stretch it out.”
The Governor says that some technology funds that were going to local school districts will be redirected from the state’s general fund to allow the state to purchase laptops in even larger numbers. With about 40,000 state-purchased laptops in use among the state’s seventh- and eighth-graders, Baldacci’s bulk purchase plan would nearly triple that number and expand the program into Maine’s high schools.
When listening to the MPBN story I was hoping to hear some numbers — of computers and of money involved. I didn’t, but later found this story (“Maine expands 1st-in-nation laptop program“) from the AP:
Gov. John Baldacci hinted at an expansion in his State of the State address Tuesday, and the Education Department announced today that the state is negotiating a four-year lease with Apple Inc. for 100,000 laptops. That’s enough for all students and staff.
Department spokesman David Connerty-Marin says the price tag would be about $25 million per year.
So, $25 million a year for 4 years equals $100 Million. 100,000 computers into $100 million equals $1000 per machine. And…this is a great deal?
Have you been paying attention to the netbook phenomenon? You can get a darn good machine for about $400. Here are some reviews and promos: Asus, Asus again, HP, HP again. Here’s more news. By the way, they all use a system called Windows! (Psst! It’s the up and coming thing!)
$400 or $1000? I dunno. Take a look. See what you think. What’s a better use of taxpayer money?
Update: More on laptop costs here.