Henrico County dumping iBooks for $50 each

That was then:
"The Henrico County Public School system has teamed with Apple Computers and launched the Teaching and Learning Initiative by deploying Apple iBook laptops to all high school and middle school students and staff. The school system's vision is to close the digital divide by providing computers and Internet access to all students. Henrico's goal is to demonstrate a new paradigm for teaching and learning that is suitable for 21st century America."

This is now:
"For the past four years, Henrico County high school students, teachers and all staff have been utilizing Apple iBooks under the system's one-to-one laptop program. The lease agreement for those iBooks is up this year and the Henrico School Board decided to accept a contract from Dell Inc. for the next four years."

Citing maintenance rates that led to too much instructional down time and the need for loaners while machines were being repaired, Henrico dumped Apple earlier this year and jumped into the sandbox with Dell. The middle school and elementary schools get to keep their iBooks, but the highschool students and teachers are getting a Dell.

On August 9th, 2005, Henrico County Public Schools will add insult to injury by selling off their used iBooks for $50 each. Want one? Here are the details:

"One-thousand laptops will be sold at the school warehouse, which is located at 361 Dabbs House Road beside the Eastern Government Center. The laptops will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. There will be no waiting list. Only cash or checks will be accepted."

For more information, contact Mychael Dickerson, director of media relations and safety for Henrico County Public Schools, at 804-652-3724.