In Split 4-2 Vote, Summit Hill 161 Board Approves MacBook Pilot

Frankfort School District 161 Meeting | November 19, 2025

Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday narrowly approved a $27,873 pilot program to purchase new MacBook Air laptops for a select group of teachers. The 4-2 vote came after dissent from two board members who argued the purchase represented another significant mid-year change that teachers had asked to avoid.

MacBook Pilot Program Key Points:

• The board approved the purchase of 27 MacBook Air laptops and 20 Apple TVs for a total cost of $27,872.70.

• The pilot is intended to gather feedback before a district-wide replacement of teacher laptops, which are now six years old and nearing their end-of-life.

• Board members Ronnie Petrey and Patrick Oliphant voted against the measure, citing a recent teacher survey that called for a slowdown in new initiatives.

• The pilot group includes both technology enthusiasts and more hesitant staff members to ensure diverse feedback.

The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, approved a pilot program to test new Apple laptops for teachers, but not without considerable debate and a divided vote.

The board voted 4-2 to authorize the purchase of 27 MacBook Air M4 laptops and 20 Apple TVs from Apple for a total of $27,872.70. The equipment will be distributed to a group of volunteer teachers, including some who are admittedly “less enthusiastic about MacBooks,” to gather honest feedback.

Administration officials explained that the pilot is a necessary step, as the district’s current Windows-based teacher laptops are six years old and at the end of their service life. A full replacement is expected for the next school year, and the pilot will help determine if the district should switch to the Apple ecosystem, which aligns with the iPads students already use.

“We’re really pushing our teacher laptops into the sixth year,” Superintendent Dr. Paul McDermott said. “I don’t think we’re gonna be able to push those laptops into a year seven.”

However, board members Ronnie Petrey and Patrick Oliphant voted against the purchase. Petrey referenced a recent teacher survey as the basis for his opposition. “One of the biggest things they asked for was no change this year. Slow it down,” Petrey said. “To me, I think this is another change, another push.”

Board President Amy Berk and members John Winter, Adrian Chavez, and Ronnie Petrey voted in favor of the pilot program. Board members Melissa Ryan and Patrick Oliphant voted no.