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Ann Arbor Schools Want $45M For Tech, Partly For Computers To Run Google Docs
An anonymous reader writes "The Ann Arbor Public Schools defended their request for a $45 million bond for new computers by claiming that Apple eMacs aren't good enough for their Advanced Journalism class. A teacher told reporters that new PCs are needed to run WordPress, Google Docs, and Adobe InDesign CS6. WordPress and Google Docs are server-based applications that can be accessed with nearly any web browser. InDesign CS6 has not been released yet and its system requirements are unknown. As a web developer, I am impressed by the online newspaper published by the journalism class, but I question the need for new hardware. The district previously claimed that the old computers couldn't run its standardized testing software, although they far surpass the vendor's specifications. Does modern education really require cutting-edge computers, or are schools screaming 'think of the children' to win over tech-illiterate voters?" Whatever the answer to that question, exaggerated system requirements aren't the only driving force; the $45 million bond sought would not be dedicated only to replacing journalism program computers, note; it would also be used to fund other infrastructure upgrades, including some lower-tech updates, like new sound amplifiers in the district's classrooms. Ann Arbor schools' web site says that the district has (as of 2010, at least) 16,440 students. What are tech outlays like in the public schools where you live?
Not if they're planning to buy Apple products ;)
They really are pretty much useless these days, I have just retired an office full of them that have been soldiering on for years but the number of websites that were simply not available to them became too great.
Voters get conned into voting for higher school budgets because they want better schools and higher property values, but the truth is much of the money is wasted. I voted against several school budgets that had over $1mil set aside for landscaping.
My favorite part was the line "InDesign CS6 has not been released yet and its system requirements are unknown". Can't just look at the previous release's specs and project from there? Jesus, what kind of non-IT fella wrote this garbage?
I don't think their request is unreasonable - as it even states within the summary itself that it'll also be used to upgrade the infrastructure as well.
I'm going to guess that some of that money per computer is going to be used for software licenses . . . I don't know. Even with an education discount, there's more than just the cost of the hardware.
Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean that they're not out to get you.
I grew up and now work in Ann Arbor. Posting as anonymous, for obvious reasons. First, some background. Ann Arbor Public Schools has become a reference model for how not to run a school district. The district routinely has nationwide searches at great expense to find a new superintendent, simply because (1) the average tenure of a superintendent in Michigan is less than two years and (2) none of them are stupid enough to come to a district as dysfunctional as Ann Arbor.
The current superintendent came from a rural district in Pennsylvania, and was old enough to actually retire from her old district to take the job here. But hell, at least she was available.
The tech crisis is at least real. Those really are eMacs being used in the classrooms... yes, the eMac that Apple stopped making in 2005. The district has a budget deficit of $14 million, due to a perfect storm of decreasing state funding (Michigan is not exactly a bastion of tax revenue), decreasing local property values, and fewer students (the #1 local tax payer and #2 employer, Pfizer, pulled out in 2007).
The odd thing is, the district is, by many measures, not bad. But that's due primarily to high student achievement due to the relatively educated population (over 70% of Ann Arbor residents have a 4-year degree or more). Meanwhile, we have high schools that are too big, middle schools that are a disaster, and elementary schools that are actually OK (but not great). On a side note, did I mention that my father teaches for AAPS, and I went to private school? Yeah...
I'm sorry, donated equipment only reduces acquisition cost. What about SUPPORT costs? It is much cheaper to support 1000 identical machines as you can use imaging, stock minimal replacement parts and so forth. Having 1000 machines with 50 different configs is going to increase cost and up-time. Typically these institutions are running somewhere around 1 technician per 500-700 machines while the "private" sector is supposedly around 1 technician per 150-250 machines. But, it's not YOUR problem right? Make them use donated stuff!
As a Computer Science teacher from Michigan, I am disappointed by the lack of resourcefulness exhibited by the Ann Arbor school administrators. Currently, I am in a room filled with equipment from:
Selfridge ANGB
U.S. Navy
Corporations
Universities
Many local sources
All of this equipment was acquired for FREE. All that I have had to occasionally pay is shipping. The lowest end equipment that I have is P4 2.8Ghz. We run Untangle as an Internet gateway through Comcast for FREE. I suggest that Ann Arbor Schools look to the following to reduce their costs:
U of M
http://computersforlearning.gov/
Meijer
etc.
There is a trust issue here. Once the public knows that the schools are working hard to rein in costs, then they can reasonably ask for what they need. A tech wish list without due diligence and fiduciary constraint is just asking to be flamed.
$2700 and change per student seems a little high for a tech budget...
A referenced earlier article has more details:
So that's an average of something like $270 per student per year, which doesn't sound particularly high to me.
But then honestly I have no basis for comparison here--how much does a typical school district (or other comparable organization) budget for this kind of thing?
And as the summary says, this isn't all about instructional technology. Decent network infrastructure probably helps teachers and staff get their jobs done, for example.
My experience wasn't in MI, so maybe you live in a crap hole of a state. Whatever. I suggest you change it or move.
And 'Incentive' doesn't mean 'reality'. I did an audit for a large global manufacturing company. The CFO didn't even understand the books. There was one line item for about 10M. No one know what the account was for or who was in charge of it.
They where afraid to stop it because they didn't know what would happen if it was removed,. or what would happen if it became aware to the public.
They were more worried about loosing money through a stock hit then they where about what the books actually reflected. Because stocks is where the board and upped management make their money.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
I've worked for a public university and for private businesses. (Roughly a 50/50 split for my adult life). The people are equally wasteful and incompetent in both places. It's just more visible for public institutions.
--Jeremy
Jesus was a liberal