By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Hillsborough’s Board of Education has agreed to a lease purchase of instructional technology equipment in an amount not to exceed $1,877,404.09.
The board, through the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission, sought and received bids for lease purchase financing.
The bid by TD Equipment Finance, Inc. was considered the most advantageous to the board at an annual interest rate 1.2194 percent.
The notes are hereby authorized and shall be issued in a principal amount not exceeding $2,034,509.
The district is buying 840 Lenovo computers for staff for $1.091 million for certified teachers and certified staff (guidance, child study teams, etc.). The older systems will go to aides, secretaries, maintenance, special classroom needs (i.e., science probe software, STEM rooms controlling 3-D printers and wood routers, etc.). The systems in this place are 8 years old and failing, said Joel Handler, district technology director.
Another $516,000 will be for 1,230 Chromebook devices for grades 3 and 4. These will be used as part of the daily general instruction.
These units are replacing the Nexus 7 tablets which are now failing, said Mr. Handler. Those that remain operational will be used to keep the grades K-2 program fully functioning for another year, he said.
Another $192,000 will be used to upgrade the district video and film lab and virtual server farm supplying a virtual Windows desktop environment for use by industrial arts classes (web design, architecture, graphic design, CAD) as well fine arts classes (digital photography and design) classes at the high school and middle school.
The cost will be spread in equal payments over four years.
