Yavapai College has donated surplus computers and related technology equipment to three local K–12 school districts, strengthening its ongoing commitment to community partnership and student success across the county.
Through a coordinated effort led by Yavapai College’s Information Technology Services Operations team, the college donated 49 desktop computers, 90 displays and 40 keyboard-and-mouse combinations to Humboldt Unified School District, Cottonwood–Oak Creek School District and Yarnell School District.
The donation represents most of the Yavapai College’s available surplus technology for the current cycle and reflects a renewed departmental priority to place retired but functional equipment directly into the hands of local students and educators.
Yarnell School District plans to use the donated equipment to build a dedicated computer lab for its elementary students. The lab will focus on teaching foundational computer and technology skills, providing young learners with structured opportunities to build digital literacy early in their academic journeys.
The Cottonwood district is using 10 Dell PCs to replace outdated ones in informational kiosks on several campuses, commercial monitors used to monitor CCTV cameras and laser pointers, and a podium to improve presentations in the boardroom.
“The equipment really enhances the image of our tech department, and our superintendent and board members really love the program,” says Parrish Jackson, IT Director.
By providing updated desktops and displays, Yavapai College aims to support districts facing budget constraints while helping ensure students have reliable access to devices that support research, digital assignments, online assessments and essential computer skills development.
Zack Vannoy, Operations Manager at Yavapai College, has played a key role in re-establishing the surplus donation process. When he joined the ITS department more than two years ago, surplus technology was typically sent to auction twice per year.
He says Yavapai College Chief Information Officer Patrick Burns has long emphasized community service and regularly volunteers in support of local initiatives. When the idea came up, the department prioritized reviving the practice of donating equipment directly to area schools.
The team worked to re-implement this donation process and find meaningful ways to support community partners.
“I’m genuinely happy knowing this technology will benefit students and support learning in our local school districts,” Vannoy says. “Providing access to technology where it’s needed most is something we’re proud to be part of.”
Before any equipment leaves campus, student workers within ITS Operations securely wipe all desktop computers and reset them to factory settings to ensure data privacy and protection. Although hardware upgrades are not performed prior to donation, the team ensures that devices are clean, functional and ready for immediate classroom use.
This careful preparation allows Yavapai College to maintain strong data security standards while promoting responsible reuse of technology resources.
