WATERLOO - Another 290 electronic white boards will be installed in Waterloo Community Schools early next year, ensuring every district classroom has the technology.

The Board of Education on Monday approved the $1.66 million purchase and installation of the Promethean Activboards by Haddock Educational Technologies of Wichita, Kan., for remaining classrooms in 12 schools. The district already has spent $2.83 million on 428 Activboards, associated equipment and installation since last fall.

The final installment will be paid for with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act dollars available through the federal stimulus program, proceeds from a Microsoft lawsuit settlement, physical plant and equipment levy revenues, 1 percent school sales tax funds and money to help students at risk of dropping out.

Cunningham, Irving, Kingsley, Lincoln Lowell, Lou Henry and Poyner elementaries will have Activboards installed along with Bunger and Hoover middle schools. In addition, seven Activboards will be installed in each of the district's early childhood education centers at Longfellow and Elk Run schools. Eleven will be installed at the Waterloo Educational and Behavioral Center at Longfellow.

The Activboards will cost $962,800 with another $130,500 for their installation. Each of the classrooms will have an Activslate, a portable version of the board, at a cost of $82,650. Another $278,000 will outfit the 200 elementary classrooms with hand-held Activotes for students, which allow them to simultaneously answer a teacher's questions with the touch of a button.

The 90 middle school and Behavioral Center classrooms will have Activexpressions, which also have texting capabilities, at a cost of $204,300.

Board member Lyle Schmitt asked if officials can see any impact on student performance yet due to the technology. Superintendent Gary Norris said the district has not "separately and individually" tracked those students' achievement levels on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.

Anecdotally, he said, district educators have seen greater engagement by students in classrooms with Activboards.

In other business, the board approved the release of bid specifications for demolition of the old Lincoln Elementary School and set a public hearing for 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Education Service Center.