School computers causing headaches

Thursday, May 7, 1998 | 10:01 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A state commission struggled Wednesday but was unable to make a decision on how to divide $27.5 million among Nevada schools for computers and new technology.

But a bright spot emerged during the daylong discussion by the state Commission on Educational Technology when Marlene Lockard, director of the state Department of Information Services, came up with a plan to save $9 million.

Nevada school districts are seeking $46.5 million from the commission for new technology but there is only $27.5 million available.

"We're talking about putting a $50 million foot in a $27 million shoe. We need a big shoehorn," Douglas Thunder, finance director for the state Department of Education, said.

The districts had budgeted anywhere from $1,700 to $2,000 for new computers. In new computers alone, the total cost would have been $21.3 million. But Lockard said by calling supplies she was able to get a bid for $999 for each computer if 12,000 were purchased and she thinks other companies will be able to match or better that figure.

That would reduce the cost of new computers to $12.1 million.

The Clark County School District originally asked the commission for $22.4 million to put a computer in every classroom. A recommendation drafted Tuesday allocated only $14.8 million, or $83 per student.

Under the current draft, other districts would receive as much as $583 per pupil for their technology needs. And Pershing County would have come out on the short end with only $1.05 for each student.

Committee members said the initial recommendation did not take into account the needs of each district.

"We're frustrated. This is not a fair distribution. I would rather do it the right way," said Commissioner Fred Dugger of Carson City.

Thunder said a formula must be worked out to distribute the money on a more equitable basis.

The 1997 Legislature, at the request of Gov. Bob Miller, allocated the money and created the commission to decide how the funding should be distributed.

The committee decided to come back May 14 to make a decision.