North Hills School District Chooses Dell, HP Computers

 Board of Directors approved purchasing 516 computers at a cost of more than $300,000 during their July 25 meeting.

A total of 275 HP laptops and 241 Dell desktops complete with new monitors will be distributed throughout North Hills as part of the district’s technology refresh program.

District Superintendent Joseph Goodnack said he did not know where every computer will be assigned but said each will replace aging computers in the district’s technology department.

Funds for the $304,783 purchase were allotted in the 2010-11 district budget. Additional monies are built into the budget for this school year’s planned technology upgrades.

School directors Jeff Meyer, Thomas Kelly and Kathy Reid voted against the purchase. Robert Barto was absent.

“The board did approve a replacement program and we are sticking to it,” said Lou Nudi, school director.

Meyer questioned the district’s intentions in acquiring more Windows-based products following last year’s Apple computer and iPad purchases.

“Is it going to be Apple or traditional PC? It seems like we are going in different directions.”

Other directors including President Edward Wielgus noted the differences in the products.

“I don’t think that it makes sense to go with one brand," Wielgus said.

Specific courses such as graphic design and various science classes benefit from Apple computers, said Timothy Burnett, school director.

There were three bids for laptop computers, desktop computers and monitors and each bid award was the lowest submitted.

Computer Discount Warehouse/Government will provide laptop computers for $163,075 or $592 each. Link Computer Corp. of Pittsburgh will supply desktop computers at $114,475 or $475 each and Questeq of Moon Township will provide monitors for $27,233 or $113 each.