Hillsborough School Board members defend $900,000 for iPads
By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, May 18, 2011
TAMPA — Even in a tough budget year, it’s hard to resist the lure of innovative technology.
That’s what Hillsborough County School Board members are saying as questions roll in about their decision to put an Apple iPad in the hands of every student and teacher at two Tampa middle schools next year.
It will cost around $900,000 in federal grant money for about 900 devices and training.
“I know there’s been an uproar from the community over this,” said member Stacy White, who joined the unanimous vote at Tuesday’s School Board meeting. “And I know I ran as a fiscal conservative and promised to be a budget hawk. I really agonized over this one.”
But he said the potential benefits for the pilot program at Franklin and Ferrell middle schools — both slated to open next …
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