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The price of high tech education
April 23, 2008

Yesterday, Austin, Texas announced high-tech plans for school campuses which would upgrade computers.  The price tag for this improvement is $70 million dollars. 

The overall results of the tech would bring different school systems current with the latest of innovations.   The school district’s executive director of technology wanted to make sure that everybody had the same stuff.  In my accounting book, $70 million is a lot of technology stuff.
 
Their checklist of stuff is staggering.  It includes new computers, printers, presentation systems, tracking software, document management systems, new gradebook software, upgrade to complete campus wireless systems, student file storage (isn’t Yahoo offering storage for free?),  and upgrading emergency power systems.
 
The list seems pretty exhaustive.  Actually, it seems like overkill to me.
 
Heck, Fry’s Electronics has some pretty nice HP laptops for $699.  That is over 100,000 computers for every student and teacher in the Travis County school system.

Don't get me wrong, I support the idea that we need to have the proper tools for all kids to obtain a solid education.  I am just questioning the price.  Given that my taxes are outrageous enough already, is someone around to push back on this proposal?  I have watched technology suppliers in action and they are not always providing the best value for the products and services delivered - especially when deep pockets are involved.

 

Posted by Stephen Nold on April 23, 2008 | Comments (2)