MANTI—A recently awarded federal grant of $485,100 will pay for new iPads in South Sanpete schools next fall.
The iPads have already been ordered, but the district expects delivery delays because of the current computer chip shortage in the global supply chain, a result of COVID-19, said Nadean Nielson-DeMill, technology director for South Sanpete School District.
In addition, new keyboards and track pads have been ordered to accompany the iPads. The accessories have been paid for with other district funds. “By the time they get to the students,” the iPads will function like laptops, Nielson-DeMill said.
The district’s goal is for all their students to have iPads. “The ones that we have now that are still good, we can move down to lower grades,” she said.
Nielson-DeMill is excited to receive the new iPads. “This will really help us out because they are larger memory-wise. It is always fun to get new stuff.”
Presently grades 6-12 in the district may take their computers home with them. Computers utilized in fifth grade and below stay in the classroom. The iPads, which teachers and students use to access educational videos and other online tools, help to reduce the cost of textbooks.
