Rabobank donates 75 computers to local elementary schools

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Rabobank, N.A., which merged with Mid-State Bank & Trust earlier this year, donated 75 computers to the Santa Barbara Elementary School District, the company announced yesterday.
The surplus in computers occurred when Rabobank replaced Mid-State’s computers with models that matched those already used by the company’s other branches, said Jeff DeVine, regional president for Rabobank.


“We’re really fortunate to have them,” said Davis Hayden, director of research evaluation and technology for the School Districts. “In most cases they’re going to be in places where there were no computers.”
Hayden said one quarter of the computers were installed and in place as of yesterday, while the remainder are being worked on. He said most of the donated computers will be used in individual classrooms and others will be used in small computer labs.
Hayden said all of the computers are in great shape and have flat panel monitors, which help save space and fit nicely on desks.
“They’re really nice computers,” he said. “They’re just needed computers.”
“Many of the Mid-State computers were only a year or less old, so it seemed fitting to donate them to an important local cause like this one,” DeVine said.
Each computer consists of a CPU, keyboard, monitor and mouse.
“We understand how difficult it is for school districts with tight budgets to keep pace with technology,” DeVine said. “We are glad to give schoolchildren the tools they need to learn, grow and be successful in school.”