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Technology upgrade linked to bond OK
In an era when a 5-year-old computer is out of date, the district is struggling to keep up with technology growth, said Don Begin, the chief operating officer for the district's information and technology services department.
By By: Jennifer Simonson
In an era when a 5-year-old computer is out of date, the district is struggling to keep up with technology growth, said Don Begin, the chief operating officer for the district's information and technology services department.
With 7,800 computers in the school system, Begin predicts that 40 percent do not meet district standards.
While the national average ratio for computers to students in school districts is five to one, Douglas County's ratio is nine to one. Take away the computer labs and it is about 14 to one, Begin said.
The district spends $1.5 million annually on computers. It buys a fixed number of computers annually for each school in the district.
After that, it is up to the school to determine how much it wants to spend on technology leaving each school on a different playing field, said Sam Sortore, director of instructional technology services.
Begin presented a four-year plan for technology needs Aug. 19 to the Douglas County Board of Education asking for $10.8 million to be used for classroom technology, professional development and information management.
Begin proposed spending the largest chunk, about $7 million, on computers for the classroom and software programs. Part of his pitch dealt with students' futures, in that exposure to technology in the classroom won't guarantee higher test scores, but studies show a correlation with it and students going on to higher education, Begin said.
"Technology doesn't make a kid smarter, but it gives them the tools to be successful," he said.
The software and Internet access ensure students receive the most up-to-date information.
"Once a textbook is published it is usually out of date," Sortore said.
New classroom technology is the largest part of the request, but staff training is just as important.
"I don't want teachers to get the latest and greatest computer just to have it sit in the closet," Sortore said.
Teachers and administrators need additional training on how to use the computers and integrate technology into their daily lesson plans.
Begin would like to spend about $3.4 million on professional development to increase the percentage of staff members who meet national standards for integration of technology.
The district also needs money for information management. It has six technicians, making for a ratio of 1,500 computers per technician. The average school district has a ratio of 500 computers per technician, Begin said.
It takes about three days for a technician to respond to a broken computer in the district.
The school board recently shaved $8.8 million from its budget. Getting the extra money is not specifically tied to whether district bond election in November, but passage of the measure could help, Begin said.
With 7,800 computers in the school system, Begin predicts that 40 percent do not meet district standards.
While the national average ratio for computers to students in school districts is five to one, Douglas County's ratio is nine to one. Take away the computer labs and it is about 14 to one, Begin said.
The district spends $1.5 million annually on computers. It buys a fixed number of computers annually for each school in the district.
After that, it is up to the school to determine how much it wants to spend on technology leaving each school on a different playing field, said Sam Sortore, director of instructional technology services.
Begin presented a four-year plan for technology needs Aug. 19 to the Douglas County Board of Education asking for $10.8 million to be used for classroom technology, professional development and information management.
Begin proposed spending the largest chunk, about $7 million, on computers for the classroom and software programs. Part of his pitch dealt with students' futures, in that exposure to technology in the classroom won't guarantee higher test scores, but studies show a correlation with it and students going on to higher education, Begin said.
"Technology doesn't make a kid smarter, but it gives them the tools to be successful," he said.
The software and Internet access ensure students receive the most up-to-date information.
"Once a textbook is published it is usually out of date," Sortore said.
New classroom technology is the largest part of the request, but staff training is just as important.
"I don't want teachers to get the latest and greatest computer just to have it sit in the closet," Sortore said.
Teachers and administrators need additional training on how to use the computers and integrate technology into their daily lesson plans.
Begin would like to spend about $3.4 million on professional development to increase the percentage of staff members who meet national standards for integration of technology.
The district also needs money for information management. It has six technicians, making for a ratio of 1,500 computers per technician. The average school district has a ratio of 500 computers per technician, Begin said.
It takes about three days for a technician to respond to a broken computer in the district.
The school board recently shaved $8.8 million from its budget. Getting the extra money is not specifically tied to whether district bond election in November, but passage of the measure could help, Begin said.
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