Idaho elementary school scraps iPad pilot program

PAUL, Idaho (AP) - Idaho's top politicians pinned dreams and promises to an iPad pilot program at Paul Elementary School.

The excitement was clear during a December 2012 ceremony announcing the school as Idaho's first iSchool Campus project.

"The students at Paul will help make Idaho one of the most competitive places in the world," Lt. Gov. Governor Brad Little said during the event. Also in attendance that day were Idaho House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, state Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert, and Idaho Department of Commerce Director Jeff Sayer.

Paul Elementary received $244,000 in grant money to cover the first year of expenses. Each of its nearly 500 students had an iPad to use.

But that excitement and state's help didn't last long.

Last year, Paul Elementary applied for a state technology pilot grant to continue the program, asking for more than $375,000 to cover the costs for the second and third years.

The state doled out a total of $3 million to other schools, but rejected Paul's request.

Now, the Minidoka County School District is using supplemental levy money to make the last payment on the iPads.

The effort to bring the pilot program to Paul was championed by Bedke and Cameron. Cameron, whose district includes Paul, said he's glad the school had an iPad pilot project, but it's bittersweet because it did not go as planned.

As state legislators discussed technology funding in 2013, Paul Elementary was at the center of the debate. Some legislators criticized the school's iPad program and claimed the state's technology grants gave Paul an unfair advantage.

This summer, the school tried one last time to secure money through a private grant, but was turned down once again.

Paul Elementary doesn't have a contract with iSchool anymore, but still uses its software to manage the iPads.