Computer time is hard to come by in the Central City School District of Linn County, Iowa. There are not enough machines to go around, and the ones available are slow. This fall, however, the turf wars and wait-times will come to an end with one of the widest-reaching one-to-one implementations in Iowa yet.

Starting in the fall of 2008, all students in fifth through twelfth grades and their teachers will have their own portable computers for use at school and home. Kindergarten through fourth grade levels will have mobile computer labs.

The district is small, so the investment requires a purchase of only 380 computers. Funding comes from a 10-year School Infrastructure Local Option Sales Tax (SILO), approved by a 58% to 42% majority. The district can use the income for building improvements, property tax relief and technology updates.

Coverage of the new program assured the public that filters, blockers and insurance policies were part of the program.

Source : KCRG TV, Central City Sets Laptop Standards , video