Refurbished Computers Will Be Given To Schools

Thu., May 28, 1998

Grayden Jones Staff writer

Thousands of computers refurbished by prisoners at Airway Heights Corrections Center could soon be distributed to Eastern Washington schools under a new “Computer 4 Kids” program.

Gov. Gary Locke is scheduled to present the first 20 machines to Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights at 9 a.m. June 1.

Patterned after a similar program in California, Computers 4 Kids aims to distribute at least 1,000 free machines each year to schools in seven Eastern Washington counties.

The pilot project brings together businesses that will donate machines with community college instructors and state inmates, who will refurbish the computers for school kids.

“These computers will be very useful,” said Clint Kruiswyk, director of technology services for Educational Service District 101. “Not all of them will be in good shape when they come in, but even the parts will be useful.”

ESD 101 will distribute computers to 59 school districts in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille and Whitman counties.

Computers 4 Kids is being tried first in Spokane because Airway Heights inmates are trained to repair computers, said Ron Lafayette, executive vice president of the Institute for Extended Learning. The IEL, a branch of the Community Colleges of Spokane, has a longstanding contract to provide adult education at the prison.

So far, about 16 inmates have been trained, said Cly Evans, program manager at Airway Heights.

He said up to 5,000 used computers could be handled each year as more inmates learn the skill.

Evans said donated computers initially will go to the former Medical Lake Primate Field Station, where supervised inmates will assess their need for repairs. Machines that can be salvaged or upgraded will be shipped to Airway Heights. Those remaining will be recycled.

Two business groups - the Association of Washington Business and the Washington Roundtable - have agreed to solicit donated computers. AT&T has donated $20,000 to the project.

Computers 4 Kids was initiated by Mona Locke, the governor’s wife, in February 1997, Evans said.

Donated computers technically will be given to the community colleges’ foundation, a nonprofit agency that can credit donors for tax-deductible gifts. A toll-free information line for making donations will be available after June 1 at 1-800-467-9843.

KICKOFF On June 1, Gov. Gary Locke will present the first 20 computers to Sunset Elementary.

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