NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2004 DPW Delivers…Technology!   Computer donation program brings 40 computers to DC schools. (Washington, DC) The DPW Office of Information and Technology Services (OITS) launched its computer donation program last month by providing 40 PCs to nine elementary-level schools in Ward 8.  The Department’s Office of Administrative Services (OAS) contributed to the effort by arranging delivery of the computers directly to each school's main office.    DPW also worked closely with the Office of Property Management, which must authorize disposal of any and all government equipment.   Mike Belak, Chief Information Officer of OITS, said, “I am delighted that this program enables DPW to upgrade its technology, improve services to our residents, and help our children in school – all at the same time.”   The 40 Dell computers meet or exceed minimum DC Public Schools technical requirements. The machines were thoroughly scrubbed of any government-related data, then tested and loaded with relevant, current software.  The PCs, which are all three to four years old, will be available for use by students, teachers and librarians for a variety of science programs and other classes.     The schools receiving the computers include P.R. Harris, Patterson, Clara Mohammed, Savoy, Birney, Stanton, and Moten Elementary Schools, as well as Moten Special Education Center and the Southeast Academy.   DPW, in partnership with the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, has begun to implement a District-wide program to better manage and maintain the government’s personal computer workstations.  With a system now in place to facilitate future donations, DPW plans to redistribute its used PCs annually as part of its routine replacement of desktop computers.