Ann Arbor Schools Want $45M For Tech, Partly For Computers To Run Google Docs 248
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?
eMacs? (Score:5, Interesting)
Apple stopped production on the eMac line back in 2006. Assuming they got the last one for sale, that means a 6 year lifespan. Sounds like they're due for a replacement.
Re:Seems a little inflated... (Score:5, Interesting)
" They have strong incentives to be wasteful."
STFU. I word with civil servants, and they are far, FAR more responsible with money then people in the private sector.
"Just about anyone here could do better with less even with Apple kit."
No. Just about everyone here thinks that, but have never done a wide scale implementation of a reliable service and equipment.
The parent to this thread makes the mistake of thinking its only machines. Infrastructure costs a lot of money.
Re:Seems a little inflated... (Score:4, Interesting)
There are teachers (like any industry) that are notorious for thinking they know more than the techs that have dedicated their lives and education to it.
That's human nature. Think Dilbert's boss.
exxample
http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/homework-class-test-school-of-fail-stop-being-all-defiant-and-right-about-things-dammit.jpg [wordpress.com]
Academy Program (Score:3, Interesting)
This seems more like someone that is anti-apple and just wants the latest and greatest gadgets to play with. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find that some of that software found it's way onto the teachers' home computers as well, "we have to know how to use it to teach the children".
Re:Seems a little inflated... (Score:5, Interesting)
I work in Education. As unfortunate as that example is, things like this are not that uncommon. I get reminded at least weekly, sometimes daily, how STUPID (yes, I'll use that word) our educators really are, especially when it comes to Technology. However they have a pieces of paper that tells them they are "smart and smarter than everyone else" via their degree and teaching credential.
And 45 Million for technology is not that steep for a school district. Infrastructure (LAN, WAN, Servers, Cabling etc). When people complain about 45 million being too expensive, they haven't done larger projects like upgrading infrastructure. Infrastructure costs money, and needs to be replaced about every ten years for networking equipment. While I'm sure there is what some people call "waste" in the 45 million, it probably isn't quite as bad as many think.
And if they are doing a 45 Million dollar bond, I'd make damn sure it went primarily for infrastructure and not computers or peripheral equipment. In a school system that size, 45 Million should just about cover top down infrastructure coverage.
Re:Seems a little inflated... (Score:5, Interesting)
" They have strong incentives to be wasteful."
STFU. I word with civil servants, and they are far, FAR more responsible with money then people in the private sector.
LOL really? Travel about 50 miles due east to the wonderful world of the Detroit Public school system. Just Google them to see how insanely wasteful that district is. They built a brand new campus for one of it's better high schools, and replaced *everything* The old building was left full of lab equipment and textbooks - to rot. Some of it was new. They had an entire warehouse full of brand new office supplies and textbooks that was left to rot as well. When an EFM was brought in a couple of years ago, he found rampant fraud and mismanagement throughout the entire system - to the point where the district had no idea how much it owed to suppliers.
Now travel forty miles north to Pontiac, MI. A recent review of their school system's finances revealed $135,000,000 in unaccounted transactions over a four year span in the 2000s. That's $135 million in money spent - and they have *no idea* where it went. The average number of irregularities in an audit of that size is maybe a couple dozen. There were over 28,000. There were $200,000 in payroll irregularities, which should *never* happen. The city had the report completed two years ago, and they kept it under wraps and did nothing about it in that time span.
I could go on and on. The pressure to limit waste in private enterprise is clear - less waste equals more profit. There is no profit motive in the public sector. The reverse is true - the more you spend the more budget you get. If you are a politician you can legally buy votes by cranking up pension benefits that you won't have to worry about funding. It's a broken system.