PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert schools are about to get some exciting new tech on campus. At the May 22 Board of Education meeting, the district approved the purchase of 26 new high-quality laptops and the required accessories for online instruction and in-class support at Calvert Career and Technology Academy.
These laptops will be used for computer-aided design (CAD) instruction — they have the high-quality graphics capabilities that will allow students to further their studies in this area.
CTA Principal Carrie Akins explained that since the school doesn’t have a standalone CAD program, they’ve partnered with a local surveying company to take on students as apprentices.
“It’s a great opportunity for our kids that have been studying engineering and need some special instruction in CAD,” Akins said.
The laptops will be purchased from CDW-G of Vernon Hills, Illinois, for $73,204.30 using a Perkins Grant awarded to CTA. The rest of the $98,000 grant will be used for materials, supplies, and to pay the instructor.
Sixth and ninth graders in CCPS will also get new laptops using the district’s National IPA contract and the Future Ready Budget for the cost of $2,278,515.55. This contract, also awarded to CDW-G of Vernon Hills, buys 1,217 laptops for sixth graders and 1,020 laptops for ninth graders, including warranties and servicing.
Procurement Supervisor Sheldon Taylor said the laptops would stay with the sixth graders through eighth grade, and with the ninth graders through 12th grade.
The board asked for assurances on the investment and care of the technology. They approved the purchase in a 4-0 vote.
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