Tablets Coming To Long Branch Schools

Long Branch School district students will now have another learning tool in the classroom as the Long Branch Board of Education (BOE) announced a new technology initiative on Wednesday night.

Students from grades 3-12 will receive Samsung Galaxy Tabs, a computer tablet that is portable and can be used for a variety of functions including Internet access and touch screens.

BOE member Luci Perez announced that the district would be purchasing and said 80 special education students receive teaching through the use of the tabs.

Perez said the district will order an additional 2,500 tablets priced at $110 each for a total of $275,000. Perez said Verizon also offered the tablets at a discounted rate as they usually retail for about $500. Verizon will also be giving the district an additional 1,000 tablets for free.

Perez explained that the district has enough money to buy 350 laptops for students, but will now use those funds to buy the tablets.

Long Branch Superintendent Michael Salvatore said the students will be the first to receive the tablets and should begin using them in 3-4 weeks.