By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The timing worked out nicely at Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting. The board hears from department heads from Great Bend schools each month. Monday night, it was IT Director Ryan Axman's turn. Later, the board approved the purchase of 169 computers for $153,691.72.
"We're on a five-year rotation on all of our computer equipment," Axman said. "We replace 20 percent of our machines each year. That way, there's no big expenditirues in any one particular year and we don't overwhelm our IT department in any particular year."
The district will replace 92 teacher laptop computers, 24 desktop computers, and three computer labs. The district also replaces one third of its Chromebooks issued to students each year, and that contract will go before the board in the spring.
Axman also updated the board on wi-fi installation in Great Bend activity busses to allow student-athletes the opportunity to complete work on trips. Axman expects a contract for the service to be approved in the spring with installation of the wi-fi beginning after July 1.