First monolight purchase

[bkjerabek]

I need something pretty simple in the way of strobe, monolights to use when I am shooting indoors at my school. I would be doing simple portraits of staff and Board members things like that. I know that I want a sliding power source and something durable would be great, easy to change the light, easy to attach a large light box...

Just a little overwhelmed at my choices... huge price range. I would like to know should I get wireless or not, how long does the battery last on wirelesses?

Any input to start the ball rolling would be helpful.

Thanks so much!