SJSD Evaluating Future Technology Needs After Budget Cut
By: Alan Van Zandt
Updated: March 20, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) The St. Joseph School District is looking closer at the future of technology in schools.
Chief Operating Officer Rick Hartigan says that the recent $800,000 technology budget cut does not mean an end to computers in the schools.
"A one time pause in buying technology does not mean that the St. Joseph School District has altered in any way its commitment to technology for students," says Hartigan.
Since the budget cut, school officials have been busy trying to reevaluate the needs of students.
"If for a 4th grade student, the technology requirements of that student are to do word processing and browse the internet and gather information, you can size a device accordingly," he says.
"What does the local community want a 4th grader to be able to do? A 7th grader, 11th grader? That's what will really drive this. What are the expectations?" he asks.
The answers to those questions could save a lot of money.
"What if a $240 Chrome Book, for instance, could satisfy the need of a 4th grade student as opposed to a $1,000 laptop?" asked Hartigan.
At the front line of the debate are the students. Principals and teachers say that there's no turning back from allowing students to have access to computers. The learning curve has gone up.
"Our technology has allowed us to be able to have kids do that at a higher rate at home and in homes that might not have printed materials available as readily as others," says Julie Gaddie, principal at Lindbergh Elementary.
"They're so much more in tune to the world around them," adds 4th grade teacher Darla Hunt. "They're just so much more into 'if I don't know, instead of asking my teacher, I'll look it up.' It's a great source for them to be able to go to."
That's a message Hartigan hears and understands as he works to deliver the technology with less money.
Chief Operating Officer Rick Hartigan says that the recent $800,000 technology budget cut does not mean an end to computers in the schools.
"A one time pause in buying technology does not mean that the St. Joseph School District has altered in any way its commitment to technology for students," says Hartigan.
Since the budget cut, school officials have been busy trying to reevaluate the needs of students.
"If for a 4th grade student, the technology requirements of that student are to do word processing and browse the internet and gather information, you can size a device accordingly," he says.
"What does the local community want a 4th grader to be able to do? A 7th grader, 11th grader? That's what will really drive this. What are the expectations?" he asks.
The answers to those questions could save a lot of money.
"What if a $240 Chrome Book, for instance, could satisfy the need of a 4th grade student as opposed to a $1,000 laptop?" asked Hartigan.
At the front line of the debate are the students. Principals and teachers say that there's no turning back from allowing students to have access to computers. The learning curve has gone up.
"Our technology has allowed us to be able to have kids do that at a higher rate at home and in homes that might not have printed materials available as readily as others," says Julie Gaddie, principal at Lindbergh Elementary.
"They're so much more in tune to the world around them," adds 4th grade teacher Darla Hunt. "They're just so much more into 'if I don't know, instead of asking my teacher, I'll look it up.' It's a great source for them to be able to go to."
That's a message Hartigan hears and understands as he works to deliver the technology with less money.
