Can I Have One

From JS Online, MATC giving away wireless laptops. Geez,
with all the money being sucked out of the taxpayers in
the Milwaukee area , how can this happen. Even Germantown
wonders why they got them.

Timing of gift questioned
MATC gives computers to Germantown library
By TOM KERTSCHERtkertscher@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 14, 2007
Five years ago, after the Germantown village administrator complained about services being provided by Milwaukee Area Technical College, MATC responded by donating wireless laptop computers and related equipment worth $65,000 to the Germantown public library.

The computers weren't for use in any MATC courses, but rather for use by Germantown library patrons.
This week, without any request from Germantown, MATC gave the library 20 new laptops worth $30,000.

The new computers have some Germantown officials questioning the timing of the donation, given that Germantown is trying to secede from MATC because of rising property taxes.
Some also are asking how MATC can afford to give away nearly $100,000 in computer equipment that is not used for MATC instruction.

"Does MATC just have computers laying around?" Germantown School Board Vice President Michael Schultz said.
In the Waukesha County Technical College District, which Germantown is seeking to join instead of MATC, no new computers are donated to the community, and used ones are put up for bid.

"All of our equipment would be related to WCTC classrooms," said Ann Moore, a WCTC spokeswoman.
MATC's first donation of computers to the Germantown Community Library was made in 2002. It included 20 wireless laptops, two spare laptops, related equipment and $6,000 for tables and chairs, according to MATC records.

MATC President Darnell Cole asked the MATC board to approve the donation, saying Germantown's village administrator had "raised concerns about the type and quantity of services" the school was providing village residents.
The board approved the donation, which was to establish a learning center, although no promise of future computer donations was made, the records show.

Jim Gribble, MATC's marketing director, said the first donation was "viewed as a long-term commitment, and we are continuing to fulfill that" with the second donation.

"They were given to the library with the goal of generally enhancing learning opportunities for library patrons," he said.

According to Gribble, no approval from the MATC board was needed for this week's donation of HP Compaq business notebooks since it was a planned replacement of the first computers.
Germantown Village Trustee Mel Ewert said he recalls hearing talk of the second donation of computers before Germantown officials began considering a possible secession from MATC.

But other Germantown officials questioned the second donation.
"Interesting timing, I would say," Schultz said. "Were a donation offered to me at a time when we are thinking of severing our relationship, it would be hard to accept it."
Said School Board member Bruce Warnimont: "The timing speaks for itself."

At the urging of the Village Board, the Germantown School Board voted unanimously in September to seek to move Germantown from MATC to the Waukesha County Technical College District, which has a property tax rate that is about 60% of MATC's.

Germantown Village President Tom Kempinski said the computer donation would not discourage Germantown officials from proceeding with the secession petition.

He said, however, that MATC should pay more attention to Germantown, particularly if the secession petition fails.

"Efforts such as this would go a long way," he said of the computers. "Germantown has got to get something for all the dollars it contributes to MATC."

Gribble said that while MATC has not made similar donations of computers to other communities, it has established learning centers in other communities.
Michael Townsend, the new regional vice president of MATC's Mequon campus, said his campus is looking at offering workshops at the Germantown library.

I wonder if our local library should go to NWTC for new or even used Laptops or computers.

Hey what about the Gillett school board? Hey "wake up people" ( I like Pepsi Max) and ask NWTC for new or used computer equipment. Even if it is used, you still might get some use out of it.

It sure seems that when the jacked up our school taxes they could try to get something for free, Were paying taxes to the tech schools anyway.