In one of his first actions as
Superintendent of the Los Angeles public schools, Ramon Cortines said that money in a construction bond should not be used to pay for iPads.
Superintendent John Deasy often said that providing an iPad to every student was a civil rights issue.
Apparently Cortines believes that using money intended to renovate schools and provide children with a safe and wholesome climate is even more compelling.
“Newly installed Los Angeles schools Supt. Ramon Cortines said he opposes using construction bond money to pay for curriculum on student computers, raising new questions about the future of the system’s controversial $1.3-billion technology project.
“Using voter-approved bonds for curriculum rather than building and repairing schools has been a contentious element in the effort to provide every student, teacher and campus administrator with a computer. Critics and some officials harbor lingering concerns about its legality and wisdom, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Times.
“Cortines left no doubt about where he stands.
“I don’t believe the curriculum should be paid for with bond funds, period,” he said in an interview.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Our school needs a copier. I hope the PTO realizes that this might be more important than the Ipads they want to buy for K-2 (complete with a pep rally for giving to the family fund with a teacher dressed as an I-Pad).
It’s like once a group sees one of these schools that has an Ipad for every kid, they think that’s the way the truth and the light. Noone comes to success in school except by the Ipad!
It’s getting old.
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A TEACHER DRESSED AS AN I-PAD????? That might be the winner in the “Let’s humiliate teachers” contest.
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I think you are correct that a copier would be better. You may want to campaign for that. Does your PTO vote on large purchases?
I would like to know why some teachers want young students to have their own I-pad. In our school children have computer lab once a week and I believe there is a cart of I-pads that rotate between all classes so kids have I pad time once a week. That seems like enough to me.
I’m not a teacher so I assume there are useful uses for a child having an I-pad all the time – is it because certain content is only available on I pads?
I would rather see technology dollars used at the high school level – more powerful computers for programming, analytical equipment in the chemistry lab, etc.
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Interesting-
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The opinion from Bond Counsel simply stated that there is no precedent available to help determine the legality of using construction bonds in this way. So, therefore, they were not in a position to declare that it would stand up in court.
Also, the opinion was stated that it was based on the computers staying on campus, period.
It’s scary to think that, if it does go to court and LAUSD loses, the money spent illegally has to be taken from the general fund in order to pay back the bond funds.
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The money is gone, all $61+ million. That is a lot of $$ and it will not be covered by Apple, Pearson, The Board, Deasy, Broad Foundation, the Bond Counsel or bake sales. Congrats to those who dumped Deasy but now better be sure that the missing fortune is not recovered at the expense of teachers, classified staff, supplies, copy machines, books and buses.
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“In one of his first actions as Superintendent of the Los Angeles public schools, Ramon Cortines said that money in a construction bond should not be used to pay for iPads.”
Call me old-fashioned but this is a no brainer. How Deasy got away with this and how the Board allowed it is beyond me. I guess a safe, healthy, and functioning school isn’t a civil rights issue- but an electronic device is. Perhaps someone should offer John a free brain scan and see what is going on in that head of his.
I wish the new Super lots of luck and good health. It appears he’ll need both.
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If I held those bonds. I’d sue. I’m sure some lawyer is out there willing to take this on a contingency basis. But in the end, the kids again lose.
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That diesnt make Cortines a hero. Not even close. Politically astute and liberated because he was forced out of the closet, he is making an unorecedented splash in the media. I would be proud of him given his age and the importance of his remarks concerning treating employees like human beings as well as the bond measure insights, which someone here astutely points out are likely to be repaid from a general fund if this goes to court . However, Cortibes launched the assault on teachers , helped install Deasy and his shown himself to be a far from ethical member of the LAUSD power brokers. To suggest he is anything more than an opportunist is reckless and irresponsible. He is himself was installed to deprive the people of their rught to choose who runs the 900 schools in LAUSD .
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You are mistaken once again. Cortines did not install Deasy nor did he start the war on teachers. He has used bad judgement and yes, he is a politico, meaning they are all dirty. He is no hero, but is certainly a human being unlike the filth he is replacing.
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LAUSD should consider having a French bank pay for iPads.
http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/490-14/mayor-de-blasio-commissioner-bratton-district-attorney-vance-major-initiative-to#/0
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But the money is gone, right? So easy come, easy go and easy soundbite for new Supe. Still feel so bad for the great teachers who took their credibility out into the neighborhood and sold those bonds that ultimately went bust on the iPad swindle.
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Kathyirwin1, the money is not all gone. Deasy spent about $61 million on ipads, which were obsolete on delivery. He planned to spend $1.3 billion on iPads and Pearson curriculum. The bond fund is $25 billion.
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The 1.3 billion includes infrastructure. While this is not the main area of criticism, it’s been clearly explained that the average cost for this is $700,000 per school. There are now calls for these costs to be audited too. The public should be able to view the procurement and bidding process for all aspects of the project, not just the cost of the iPads and the curriculum.
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Actually 1/2 a billion is supposed to be used for reinstalling infrastructure , which they began removing a few years ago when the board vited to remive WiFi because it poses a carcinogenic threat to children. Apparently adults are not immune from this as one teacher in LA just received special accomodations because as soon as ir went in at her school , she began bleeding from her nose and ears. In many parts of Europe wifi is banned . Doctors and activists have begged the BOE to remain true to that earlier vote . In light if the casualties, it makes sense. But making sense does not make money . The truth is they di not need wifi to operate ipads. Some teachers will say they are better off without it because it poses such temptation to kids . Some teachers suspect that Dave Welch will get that contract or has gotten it .that is his reward for torpedoing tenure. I have the contract with Apple . It is not the way Deasy portrayed it. The iPads cost the same a they do at every school and schools order them according to their needs. I have geard one ES had them last year and upgraded then to the new model this year. It is unclear who covered the costs for that Upgrade. One thing is for sure, they need Keyboards as my posts often betray . The older ipad still works as I have several versions . I would not call them obsolete. In many ways I prefer the older versions . I am not sure why people assume they are obsolete just because they do not have all the latest bells and whistles . What I do know is they can save a fortune on text books, art supplies, paper, pens , musical instruments ( not a replacement but a damn fine filk in), and no one is taking advantage of that at LAUSD . When Cortines sess that and takes advantage of it, I may be able to cut him more slack . It is very hard to wirk around the sexual harassment charges . In the very least he has a conflict of interest scandal and an unfortunate sexual mistake to overcome . Can he clean up Deasy’s mess? I hope so. But I am not going to hold my breath. I am coming home after a trip to LA that took me through many hood schools–even the new ones are scarred and bleak . The children are not laughing or happy . They are worn out coming and going, and there are no longer teachers on campus early and after school. They get in and get out . It’s sad, but about 9000 veterans are collatoral damage from reform. They lead the way for interns and children , now what can Cortines do about that as the others are resigning in record numbers?
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Rene Deidrich is correct on this one. ITC has the contract and they are installing WiFi as I write this. Look it up and you will see the name of David Welch.
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We’re happy that Deasy Is history and that our new Supt supports the use of taxpayer bond money the way it was intended: for Repairs Not IPads too.
Julie (cofounder of Repairs Not IPads Facebook page)
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Julieann, you guys dud ab awesome job. Thank you. Parents were at Beaudry demanding answers on Tuesday. They are requesting a grand jury. You shouldfile a complaint too.
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