After years of technology grants, new software and hardware, and laptops in nearly every classroom, Freedom made the decision to go 1 to 1 this fall. “It was the next logical step in terms if infusing instructional technology,” said Dr. Staub. “We believe that our teachers and kids, with the help of Tom Hickey, are proficient or better at using the resources. It extends the classroom 24/7; you can just do more.” In order to have enough computers for each student, the district spent around $108,000 to purchase 130 new computers and upgraded batteries. The $50 Deposit A popular concern from students about the new 1 to 1 program is the cost involved. Many students and parents did not want to pay the required fee before being issued a computer. “I just got a new laptop for Christmas, and then I had to turn around and spend $50 on a school laptop,” said senior Courtney Cotton. Many parents and students were confused as to where their money was going. “We’ll need funds to cover repairs, damages, and upgrades,” Dr. Staub said. The current plan is to buy a new battery for every computer after two years, with each battery costing about $100. Since batteries are not in the district’s budget, the money for them will come out of the $50 deposit as well. The warranty on each computer is three years, but the district plans to use every laptop for four years. Thus, there is a one-year gap when the school is responsible for any problems that are not caused by student negligence. By January, about 400 laptops will be out of warranty. The pool of collected money will be used to cover problems that will no longer be covered under warranty. The school district will “do a constant evaluation of the program,” Mr. Hickey said. “We’re not trying to make money, but we’re not trying to lose money. We are trying to sustain.” Battery Life Freshmen Joanne Barlamas and Niki Vargo both said that their fully-charged battery lasts about two hours. Mr. Hickey said that with any laptop, a fully-charged “battery should give them upwards of three hours.” If not, students can visit Mr. Hickey to receive a new battery; there are currently 80 available. Mr. Hickey said that the battery life of seniors’ computers is around eight hours. This is not because the laptops are brand new; it’s because the batteries with these computers are a new model, and about three times as expensive. The older laptops cannot hold a charge for as long because their batteries don’t have – and never had – the capacity for it. Thaw Space Junior Kaylin Vickinovac says that she saves everything to her flash drive because she doesn’t trust her Thaw Space – also called the T drive. Is her concern warranted? Mr. Hickey said, “I would trust the T drive as I would trust a hard drive; expect it to eventually not be there. Not today, not tomorrow, not next week, but it is potentially breakable. My advice is on a semi-regular basis … back up information.” As students read on the information sheet that came with their laptops, the T drive is the only safe place to store files. When a laptop is turned off, any file, download, or piece of information a student saves will be erased if not stored in the Thaw Space. The main reason the laptops do this is because it is the “single best way to avoid any virus infiltration,” Mr. Hickey said. Different Programs Some students may have noticed that not all of the laptops have the same programs; this is because the best programs for each laptop were installed. “Ideally everyone would have exactly the same programs,” Mr. Hickey said. However, “some of the hardware on the old machines wasn’t as robust as the new machines.” Even with the slight differences in programs from laptop to laptop, each computer is equipped with approximately $1,500 worth of software. Keeping your laptop safe Before they were issued a laptop, every student signed an agreement requiring that a laptop case be purchased. Some students have complained that the bag adds another laptop-related cost. “We already paid $50: that should cover everything,” senior Casey Sterrett said. However, Dr. Staub insists that the bags are essential and that the chance of damage decreases significantly. The cost of a case is small in comparison to paying for a damaged laptop, he said. “If I had the money I’d buy bags for everybody; we bought locks for everyone,” Dr. Staub said. “It’s to prevent accidental damage.” “We’re all responsible, so we’re going to take care of them,” senior Kasi Krall said.