L ast Friday, we told you about a new school system deal with Apple that had been approved by District 834 School Board in St. Croix Valley, MN. That deal was to put more than 2,300 iBooks in the hands of students and teachers, and was approved in a mixed vote from a divided school board. Though not yet signed, the school board had authorized its IT department to pursue negotiations and close a deal if it deemed said deal to be a good one.
Today, The Pioneer Press is reporting that the school system is definitely entering into a deal with Apple, but it seems the school board has narrowed the focus of the program. Rather than 2,300 iBooks for two schools, the school district is getting some 1,130 iBooks for 1,000 students and 130 teachers. The program will be limited to one junior high school, and is being looked on as an experiment. From the Pioneer Press:
Providing laptops to more than 1,000 students at Oak-Land and about 130 junior high teachers will cost about US$1.7 million over the next five years. Apple is giving the district a discount that lowered the price by US$500,000. The program would have cost about US$2.85 million if Stillwater Junior High were included.
[...]
The agreement also includes a discount on Apple products for any family living in the school district.
Thereis more information in the full Pioneer Press article.