A timeline and process has been set to replace outdated computers in Community Consolidated School District 181.

New Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Janet Stutz and network technician Eric Danley presented to the School Board on Monday the process to determine a recommendation for the replacement of student computers.

“Last year the technology department functioned independently from curriculum,” said Associate Superintendent Mary Ticknor. “We feel it’s time for technology to come back under the curriculum instruction umbrella since technology is a tool to complement the curriculum.”

The technology committee, which is made up of teachers, district technology staff, principals, administrators, building technology assistants and library directors, met for the first time on Sept. 3. From that meeting they established a process and timeline which will investigate the pros and cons of replacing the existing computers with various types of machines.

Stutz said she came from a district with both a PC and Mac platform, and as they go through vendor presentations and look at the needs of the students they will be able to figure out the best platform for District 181. She said this will be a three-prong approach based on the curriculum component, the vendors and what they bring to the table, and the technology evaluation piece — making sure the tech department can work through the system in order to assist those in need.

“What you have to think about is what tool do we need to best serve the children instructionally,” Stutz said.

Danley said student computers currently date back to 2001 or 2002 depending on the school, and some go all the way back to 1997. As they look at different computers, there is the possibility of having more than one type in the district. District 181 is currently Mac based, but Danley said by re-examining the single platform arrangement, they may be able to provide the best tool for every situation, regardless of platform. However, they have to be cautious moving that direction as moving to a hybrid system can have its challenges.

The timeline for having new hardware in students’ hands has always been January 2009 and the technology committee plans to stick with that deadline. They just want to make sure they put the proper effort into their recommendation as the district will be purchasing about 600 computers.

Some parents were disappointed that only a timeline came out of Monday’s discussion.
Yvonne Mayer asked if there would be a five-year replacement cycle and with the district going into deficit how these computers would be payed for.

Board members responded that they have put a placeholder in the current budget based on estimates they had at that time for a lease and buy scenario totalling about $250,000.

A recommendation will come to the board Oct. 14.

Director or no director?
When Technology Director Bruce Richards wasn’t in attendance on Monday for the technology report, many parents began to question why.

One community member stepped up to the microphone and directly asked interim superintendent Robert Sabatino if Richards was still working in the district. Sabatino said he is still with the district at this time, but would not comment on whether he would be with them longterm.

“Those are personnel issues I’m not at liberty to discuss,” Sabatino said.

He did say there is a plan in place for hirining a replacement director.