Calexico trustees OK purchase of more than 8,000 iPads
CALEXICO — The Calexico Unified School District will be purchasing more than 8,000 new Apple iPads, as well as accessories, so that students can use them for the 2020-21 school year.
The district’s board unanimously approved the purchase during its regular meeting Aug. 13.
CUSD will be ordering 4,418 seventh-generation 32 GB Apple iPads, which have Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities, and 3,704 128 GB iPads with Wi-Fi connectivity.
All the tablets will be 10.2-inch models.
In addition, the CUSD will be also purchasing three years’ worth of AppleCare+ for Schools (a coverage plan for the iPads); 1,870 Brenthaven Edge 360 cases for the iPads, 2,924 Logitech keyboard cases for the iPads, and 374 Apple Pencils (first generation).
The list price for all this equipment is $2,668,402. After taxes and recycling fees, the total price is $2,888,341. The iPads alone come out to $2,042,698.
CUSD will require students to use an online curriculum for the upcoming school year, which begins Monday.
District students who do not have a device that will allow them to access the online curriculum will need to check out a device, such as an iPad, from the district.
The iPads will be used by all grade levels throughout the district.
The district has 8,975 students enrolled across its 11 schools.
K-6 students will have the options to use an iPad or Google Chromebook. Seventh and eighth grade students will use only iPads.
The district will also be purchasing MacBook Air laptops for high school use.