SD Governor Mike Rounds had wanted every high school student in the state to participate in a one-to-one laptop program, but it was not a priority with the legislature. When they rejected $2.9 million in funding for the third year of the program, Rounds scaled back the budget, seeking $770,000 from what is left of the original funding: a state settlement with Citibank.

Some legislators have criticized Rounds for an action counter to their expressed will, and they have announced an audit of the Citibank settlement funds. Even so, 15 schools (with about 1,500 students) will participate enthusiastically in South Dakota’s Classroom Connections program for 2008-09. That brings the initiative’s reach to about 11,000 students in 56 districts.

Rounds maintains that, on the national front, it is no longer a question of "if" students will learn with laptops, but when. "Here in South Dakota, the K-12 laptop initiative will help to prepare students for a world in which access to information and technology is absolutely critical to economic health," he said .

At Custer High School, all 290 students are among those who will return to laptops this fall. State funding covers a three-year span, and the laptops stay after that. Custer School District superintendent, Tim Creal plans to continue the program regardless of state funding. Creal said. "Once you give them laptops, you can't take them away." Add teacher training on technology integration, says Creal, and it would be like going to back to a horse after using a tractor in the field.

The state Department of Education selects districts based on readiness or ability to implement the project, foresight in terms of how the school district will use the laptops, technical support and capability and community buy-in. Districts pay $1,250 per computer and Classroom Connections provides matching funds ($1 from the state for every 2 local dollars). That cost covers the initial investment of hardware, software and warranties and the training of teachers and technology coordinators in the schools.

In addition to Custer, other 2008-2009 recipients are Andes Central (96 students); Armour (61 students); Baltic (135 students), Bridgewater/Emery (109 students); Britton/Hecla (185 students); Canistota (84 students); Deubrook (78 students); Faulkton (90 students); Hoven (49 students); Lake Preston (67 students); Langford (65 students); Waubay (50 students); White Lake (54 students); and Wilmot (83 students).

Sources: Rapid City Journal, Custer students to benefit from laptop program , by Kayla Gahagan; KELO TV, Panel to probe laptop spending ; and Vermillion Plain Talk, Scaled-back version of laptop initiative to move forward