“The news that Apple Inc. co-founder and chief executive Steve Jobs is taking a health hiatus until the end of June sent the company’s shares tumbling 4 percent last week, reportedly wiping out some $10 billion in shareholder wealth. But in considering what the news might mean for schools, educational technology leaders who spoke with eSchool News were more measured in their response,” eSchool News reports.

“‘Steve Jobs, as an iconic leader, represents more to shareholders than to end users at this moment,’ said Jim Hirsch, associated superintendent for technology at the Plano Independent School District in Texas,” eSchool News reports. “‘Products that we in education are most interested in have been in the pipeline for some time already, so the medical leave of absence will have little impact on our purchases over the next 12 months.’”

eSchool News reports, “However, if Jobs does not return to an active role at Apple in the time frame he has indicated, Hirsch said he might be ‘concerned about [Apple's] future product direction.’

“‘Everyone is in a panic that the world will end if Jobs leaves Apple,’ said Marc Liebman, superintendent of the Berryessa Union School District in San Jose, Calif., which he referred to as ‘Apple Central,’” eSchool News reports. “As for what the news might mean for schools, ‘I don’t think that it will affect educators one way or the other,’ Liebman said. ‘Those that are Apple fans will still want to buy Macs, as I believe they are dedicated to what the Mac can do in the classroom. … So, while the story is big, it won’t change what we do–and I don’t think it will affect Apple’s sales to schools.’”

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "Kathleen" for the heads up.]