Debian stable is still on Gnome 2.x, which is quite nice. This computer I am typing on is connected to a Windows network and I print directly to the network printer, a Brother laser printer. I downloaded the, I think, ppd file and used CUPS to set it up - no problem. If you want to you can even do a minimal install. Search Google for Debian minimal install. However, I'd go with this: (
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=61221)
Updates are really simple, and if you set your sources to, e.g. stable, you'll have a rolling distribution in which you never have to reinstall (or do a version update) if a new major version comes out - like going from Vista to Windows 7.
The other thing is, Debian is rock solid. I also have Mint installed on this machine, but stopped using it after a while. Yes, it looks much nicer than Debian, but looks are not everything. If you teach the kids at your school to value function above form you'll have done them a big favour.
And yes, change is bad. Improvement is good.
