ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) -- As Rochester's school district leaps into the digital age part of the funds to do so, will come from your pocketbook. During the next three years, the district is looking at buying 15,000 iPad tablet computers, one for every student.
These students aren't just playing games on these iPads, they're educational games.
"Like it or not technology is where kids are at, that's how they live now. It's how they feel like they're engaged and we have to embrace that somehow and this is an opportunity to engage them," explained Superintendent Michael Munoz.
Longfellow Elementary was the first school in the district to receive iPads for their first and second graders. When we interviewed Kris Davidson, the Principal of Longfellow in April, he was amazed by what he saw.
"The level of engagement is skyrocketing with our kids. The level that our kids can absorb the new material, the new applications were getting and to be able to turn around and implement their knowledge. The turn-around time has been amazing," stated Principal Davidson.
Now the district is looking to purchase more iPads, one for every student. There are 3 separate options. The first option involves just replacing old desktop computers. The second option involves purchasing 15,000 iPads and the third option involves purchasing 15,000 iPads and extra technology for hard-of-hearing students.
The district's Executive Director of Finance, Larry Smith, said option two is the most realistic.
"The plan includes incorporating about 15,000 iPads over a period of 3-years, phasing them in roughly about 5,000 a year. The whole cost of the plan is about $10.8 million dollars," explained Smith.
So who will foot the bill? Property owners. If the proposal passes the Rochester school district taxpayers would have to pay back the loan provided by the state.
"For example, a $200,000 home, the impact they'd be seeing would be about $86," said Smith.
But how do you put a price tag on the value of a child's education?
The proposal has a few hurdles at the state level, even after it passes the school board.
It will be brought up again at next months board meeting. No action was taken at Tuesday evening's meeting.
