General McLane High School and Great Lakes partner for iPad Storage Solutions

EDINBORO, PA (October 12, 2017) – When General McLane School District began planning for its elementary iPad rollout, technology supervisor Jeremy Dylewski searched for the best storage solution on a budget. 

The result? A one-of-a-kind drawer that allows each teacher to securely store and charge the iPads, as needed, within an already existing space – and all locally sourced, thanks to Great Lakes Case & Cabinet. 

"The customization of the product to best fit our needs, financially and logistically, was the driving force that led to the partnership," Dylewski said. "We've been amazed at their professionalism, quality of the products and customer service. The entire experience has been above and beyond – and we're supporting a local business, which makes it even better."

Great Lakes Case & Cabinet (GLCC) is a metal fabricator based out of Edinboro and specializes in the manufacture and integration of indoor and outdoor enclosures for the storage and protection of IT equipment.

Dylewski worked with a GLCC engineer and team to completely customize this product from start to finish. He was involved with the plan throughout the entire process, from the drawing it on the whiteboard until implementation. In addition to complete customization, face-to-face interaction, and keeping tax dollars in the local community, the costs of the project added significant savings to the District. The District saved approximately $600 each drawer compared to the average cost of a mobile charging cart. 

The new storage system occupies unused space within the technology cabinets that already exist in the classrooms for technology needs. Forty drawers were created and placed in the elementary homerooms.

Through the latest technology rollout, General McLane School District successfully implemented a 1:1 iPad initiative for students in grades 3 through 12. Students in Kindergarten through second grade each have access to iPads through a classroom set that contains 12 iPads each.  

The focus of the 1:1 technology initiative is to meet students where they are and help boost student achievement, engagement and increase students' creativity, collaboration and critical-thinking skills. Technology is just one of the tools teachers use in the classrooms. 

The district began its iPad rollout in 2012. James W. Parker Middle School piloted the 1:1 program during the 2013-2014 School Year and General McLane High School expanded the program during the 2015-2016 School Year. General McLane High School students take their iPads home, students in grades 3 through 8 leave theirs in the schools.  

General McLane School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade in Franklin, McKean and Washington Townships, as well as the borough of McKean and Edinboro. The District also serves tuition students throughout Erie County. To learn more about General McLane School District, visit generalmclane.org.