[clug] Re: Linux Learners Group idea

[Kelly Daly]

On Friday, 16 June 2006 03:20 pm, Drew Parsons wrote:
> The real decision makers here are the school executive - the principal
> and deputy principal etc.  The lone teacher will only be able to proceed
> (and *will* be able to proceed) if he/she feels s/he has the support of
> the executive.  And the pressure of the parents is what causes the
> executive to make that decision.


I have heard mentioned *somewhere* that the schools are given an IT budget to 
work with.  How much of this budget is spent is taken into account in the 
following budget period.  Thus, the more they spend this year, the more they 
get next.  If they spend next to nothing this year and still hold a surplus, 
then they obviously need little or nothing for next.  The given budget 
usually takes into account the insubordinate cost of proprietary software.

If this is the case, is it any wonder many schools fear "free" software in 
that it may restrict their ability to purchase IT equipment for the school in 
the following period (and thereafter)?

As such, a move (or partial move) to anything free would be better approached 
as being charged to them at a cost - even if that cost gives them more for 
less.  Potentially a "service" charge or the likes.

K