Tech upgrades on the horizon for Taylor schools Prekindergarten will get iPads, MacBooks for older students
Technology updates for the Taylor Independent School District could go online for the 2026-27 academic year with new computers on the way for students and teachers.
Technology director Jamie Sellers called the upgrades a “refresh proposal” during a presentation to trustees at the Monday school board meeting.
Trustees will vote in April on the plan.
“(It’s a) districtwide device refresh with (Apple) MacBook Neo for teachers and grades three to 12 and iPads for prekindergarten through second grade,” Sellers said March 30.
Using a slideshow, Sellers noted the schools’ aging computers perform slower and experience more frequent failures, which in turn disrupt studies in the classroom and add to the workload of the the information technology department to fix the computers.
Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said the new computers are part of the Educators Preparation Program.
“We want to make sure we get on a refresh cycle so every year we’re planning for the next five to 10 years budget-wise, so we know what expenses, such as new computers, are coming up,” Garcia- Edwardsen said.
A survey sent across the district indicated more than 80% of the respondents requested Apple Inc. products such as the Apple MacBook or iPad.
Normally, these would be too expensive, Garcia-Edwardsen noted, but in the last two weeks Apple recently came out with a new, more affordable MacBook.
Meanwhile, Taylor ISD will also receive an influx of funding from a buyback program offering to purchase the district’s used computers for $325,000 to $500,000.
“Expect about $400,000. It’s going to come in somewhere in the middle,” Sellers said of the buyback amount.
Sellers will return to the April school board meeting with updated financial information from both the buyback program and Apple for the purchase of the new devices. The board will then decide whether to support the initiative.
Trustees also heard a presentation from Dale Shumaker, vice president of strategic partnerships with Diamond Communications.
Taylor High School has spotty phone and internet connections, so Diamond Communications is installing a new communication tower near the campus to improve access. However, it will not be operational until sometime in 2027.
“Diamond is working with (the Texas Association of School Boards) to bring connectivity to schools,” Shumaker said.
Once the tower is working, Shumaker said it will provide coverage not just for the high school but about two miles around the area into nearby neighborhoods.
Shumaker said several carriers are already interested in using the district’s tower.
“They are aware of the potential for growth and want to get involved in the area now,” Shumaker said.
The next school board meeting is 7 p.m. April 20 in the Taylor ISD boardroom, 3101 N. Main St.
