Midway through the school year, computers for students in Project Lead the Way (PLTW) are so antiquated that Stevens Point Area Public School District officials decided to dip into the district’s fund balance to purchase new ones.

The board unanimously approved a four-year lease agreement with Dell to pay a total of $92,265 to lease 85 Dell computers for students in the program. The first payment, $23,863, will come out of the district’s fund balance.

“We can use fund balance for one year, it’s an emergency, that’s what it’s for,” said Board President Meg Erler.

The four annual payments represent the actual cost of the computers and no interest rates or finance charges are involved, officials said. At the end of the four years, the district would be required to enter into a new lease agreement or purchase the computers for about $2,605.

“I wish it was next year and we had the budget, but it’s not,” said Director of Technology Brian Casey. “Their education will suffer if we don’t address this now.”

To read the rest of the story, pick up a copy of the Portage County Gazette at one of the many newsstands in the area, including gas stations and grocery stores. Or subscribe at paymentwizard.com/OrderForm.aspx?FormID=1406 to have weekly copies delivered by mail.

A website login function to view full stories online will be coming soon. Any current or new subscriber will have access.

For more information or to subscribe over the phone, call 715-343-8045. Please note, to have access to the online version, you will need to provide an email address.