District Administration - July/August 2011 - (Page 39)

Advertisement The science of savings: Wisconsin charter school maximizes its investment in technology Recertified computers from cDi help the Milwaukee Academy of science meet its curriculum goals to new equipment—for an ecoeith RogeRs, chief opeRnomical amount per machine, ating officer of Milwaukee but so far he hasn’t had to return Academy of science, was any machines. looking for a home computer when Rogers raved about the perhe recalled a series of email messonal attention he receives from sages he’d received at work from his cDi sales representative, who a cDi sales representative about also serves as point person for any recertified machines. he visited troubleshooting. “if something cDi’s site and, while he ultimately is better than outstanding, then decided to buy his personal comthat’s what he is,” he said. puter somewhere else, he found cDi largely purchases brand himself pleasantly surprised by name computers that were previcDi’s prices. “One of the problems of technology is ously used by corporate customin fact, the deals were a lot bethow easy it is to get oversold. While ers. the machines generally have ter than the academy was getting a lot of horsepower, and have from the computer reseller it was the latest and greatest technology been gently used. Before they’re using at the time. is necessary for my pre-engineering sent out to customers, however, “cDi came in superior,” Rogers group, it’s probably not necessary for cDi puts them through a rigorsaid. “We now use them for better ous recertification process that than 85 percent of our purchases.” my reading and writing group.” involves cleaning, diagnostics, the 1,058-student academy, disk wiping and other checks the largest independent charter school in Wisconsin, was founded in 2000 and is overseen that assure top performance. “one of the advantages of cDi is they have our school imby a consortium of seven higher education institutions in the area. the school seeks to prepare inner city children in aging system on file,” Rogers said. schools essentially send a grades K-12 for careers in science, but administrators quickly hard drive preloaded with its custom software to cDi, which learned they needed to shore up reading and writing skills then replicates that system on all future orders and handles in the early grades to make the curriculum work. computers all licensing issues. that frees up school tech staffs to handle more pressing problems.” are designed to be a critical tool in that process. Rogers added that when cDi computers arrive at the With a lean budget, however, the academy needed to make smart purchases. students in the higher grades might need school, they’re ready to use. “that’s an advantage that’s the latest technology for advanced courses, but most educa- pretty incredible.” once the academy gets a better sense of its budget for tional software runs just fine on machines that are a few years the upcoming school year, Rogers plans to add more comold. that made recertified computers an attractive option. “one of the problems of technology is how easy it is to get puters from cDi. “i couldn’t be more pleased,” he said. oversold,” Rogers said. “While the latest and greatest technology is necessary for my pre-engineering group, it’s probably For more information, visit www.cdicomputers.com. not necessary for my reading and writing group.” Rogers estimates he’s bought close to 300 computers from cDi so far, mostly in 30-unit laptop carts. he’s thrilled that he can purchase a four-year warranty—comparable K http://www.cdicomputers.com http://www.cdicomputers.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July/August 2011

District Administration - July/August 2011
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Facilities News
Inside the Law
District Profile
Administrator Profile
The Social Media Dilemma
Is Year-Round Schooling on Track?
After 50 Years, Ethnic Studies Still Controversial
Finding the Right Purchasing Solution
Look, Listen, Learn
Research Center
Supervisor’s Opinion
Going Mobile
Superintendent’s Insight
Books
Product Focus
New Products
Online Edge

District Administration - July/August 2011