WAPELLO, Iowa — The Wapello School Board on Wednesday narrowly passed a nearly quarter-million-dollar plan to upgrade the elementary and high schools’ computer systems.

“This is something we really need,” technology coordinator Chris Gillette told the Board.

“Coming in with fresh eyes, I was really taken aback (by the current equipment) and the frustrations of the teachers. You (could) just feel it,” said Gillette, who’s in his first full year working for the school.

Gillette said the current machines often fail to operate correctly, either crashing during operation or failing to even log on to the school’s system.

He also said many of the current machines are too old or would be to costly to upgrade, adding that switching to less expensive computers would cost the district more because most of the school’s other computer equipment and software would then have to be replaced.

The package, the $231,767 cost of which will be spread out over four years, includes:

n 65 new MacBook laptops

n 115 additional laptop and desktop computers

n Two servers and other equipment

n Professional development

n Service contract

Superintendent John Weidner said that cost could be covered through the district’s School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) tax.

While board members agreed the computer system needed updated, several  said they were worried about the cost since the district was also looking at upgrading the high school science labs, a project that could top $ 1 million.

Board chairman Rod Fisher said he was concerned about making any commitment on the computers until more definite numbers on the lab and other building upgrades was known.

“We’ve never been told the (current) computers

didn’t work (and) I don’t know if we need all these computers. I don’t want to make a commitment without knowing all these (renovation) numbers,” he said.

Other board members however indicated they already knew what would be their priorities.

“We’ve got to have computers and I personally feel the computers are more important than the science labs,” board member Rob Pritchard said.

The Board initially appeared ready to table the issue until after another meeting with Metzger, but board member Charlie Kerr moved to approve the purchase. It was then approved on a 3-2 vote, with Kerr, Pritchard and Larry Moser in support. Voting against it were Fisher and Duane Boysen.

The equipment could be installed by the start of the second semester.