A word of advice to South Dakota school districts; If a piece of equipment you are considering buying for the school says ‘Gateway’ on the side, probably not a good investment (I’m surprised that the Harrisburg school district isn’t sponsored by Gateway . . . I’m just saying.)
A collections company wants more than $78,000 from the Baltic School District for 50 laptop computers the school ordered for its high school students and staff last year. But school officials say they won’t pay full price because of a contract dispute with the bankrupt computer manufacturer.
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Baltic was one of 15 school districts in the state chosen to receive the Gateway laptops to begin the 2008-09 school year. It is part of South Dakota’s Classroom Connections laptop program, in its third year.
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The program is part of Gov. Mike Rounds’ 2010 Education Initiative that sets specific goals intended to improve the state’s education system by 2010.
Rounds/Gateway. When those two words appear together, that should scare the crap out of anyone. I’m curious if Rounds does anything for the best interest of South Dakotans? Or just special interests and contractor friends, while the rest of us are left holding the bag.
And Gateway isn’t helping the situation;
Officials at Britton-Hecla School District are dealing with a similar situation. The entire order of 210 computers arrived months late and, like in Baltic, they don’t have a warranty or service agreement. Ten loaner computers never were shipped to the school, they say.
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“We don’t want them without a warranty,” Superintendent Don Kirkegaard said. “We’re trying to resolve the issue.”
Gateway offered 10 percent off the purchase price for the computers, Kirkegaard said. He said he doesn’t think that offer is reasonable.
Ten Percent discount?! BAHAHAHAHAHA! Give me a break. I say ship the computers and a bill to the Governor’s mansion so he can eat the big fat giant turd sandwich he has created, kind of like the vehicle registration software.
When is his term up again?
This whole laptop debacle makes me wonder if Marion’s ever owned a computer. It’s great that we’re getting laptops to some school districts, but how long are those really going to be in use? After maybe (a big maybe) five years, they’re so obsolete as to be nearly useless and we’ll have to buy more. Why not have decent computer labs for the schools with a cool video conferencing system that will allow rural schools to offer more classes? I train people over a VC system at least weekly, and it beats the hell out of coming up with an internet class and curriculum.
It seems to me that it would be better to get good VC equipment in the schools than to replace laptops every 3-5 years.
But, GoD, how does that help pay back Marion’s campaign contributors? You could never work for the state government, your idea makes sense.
Maybe the state should buy some of these? Probably work better then a Gateway.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0wRJjXvyZ1I/SjWeTcvB3wI/AAAAAAAAD_U/EJmPX_pTf7g/s1600-h/tandy1000.jpg
Don’t make me monochromatic… you wouldn’t like me when I’m monochromatic.
I remember my first computer class in 5th grade. It took half a period just to load the program before we could use it.
I remember playing Oregon Trail on an Apple IIE in elementary school. It sucked.
Stupid dysintary…
Not to be snarky (ironic on this website!) – but the state does provide ALL of the schools with VC equipment. It is called DDN (Dakota Digital Network) and has been in place for several years. We can offer dozens of extra classes for our students because of this “free to the school” service. As a tech-coordinator for one of the smaller schools in our state – I can say that the state does provide a host of good services for us. Free internet, free webhosting, DDN, Anti-virus, Tech support, network monitoring – just to name a few. The Gateway (or as we know it MPC) mess has already been resolved. SD has contracted with HP to provide laptops at a state negotiated rate. Now, where I do not agree with the 1-1 program, and being a %100 Mac school – we have not had to deal with this mess. Gateway sold out their business/government division to MPC (based in Idaho), and due to bad management, went under – quickly… Leaving many districts holding the bag. Quite a mess, this Gateway (MPC) mess is, and I am glad we did not buy into it. However you look at it, there are many talented, smart people running the systems throughout the schools in SD. Honestly, they question everything, and try to leave no stone unturned. But, sometimes things blindside you – just like this MPC deal. Many schools had computers sent away for repairs, but due to the way the bankruptcy court is designed, got caught. Every warranty was void the second that was filed. Please, before you post, be informed. Quite a mess… One that I do not have to deal with….