THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF MAY 4, 2008
Tech Upgrades Carry $2 Million Pricetag
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
The Glenbrook High School Dist. 225 Board reviewed a plan Monday (May 5) to overhaul computer systems at both high schools.
The $2,022,500 pricetag, requiring a referendum, would pay for 500 Mac laptops, 250 HP desktop computers, and upgrades to the computer networking structures at both schools and the district offices.
Included in the cost is $525,000 to renovate the basement at the district offices into a large server room.
The plan is to have the new systems and computers online by next fall and all staff fully trained by Dec. 1, 2008.
When completed, the district will operate a wireless computer network and teachers would all be issued individual dual platform Mac laptop computers that will replace the desktops currently in each classroom.
The plan has the full support of the Glenbrook Educators Association, the district teachers' union.
Board members asked GEA representative Matt Whipple if the teachers would be concerned with having to learn the new technology. Whipple, flanked by a dozen teachers at the meeting, several of whom participated in a pilot program using the laptops this year, told the board that the teachers were eager to see the program implemented.
Teachers told the board how the laptops helped them teach in new and innovative ways. Whipple said the new tools will cut down on log on times and went far to correct stresses teachers complained about when he addressed technology concerns two years ago.
He said teachers made alternative lesson plans because they did not trust that the computer technology would work.
Marcus Tim, the district's new technology guru, said the systems use both Windows XP and Mac OSX platforms that would be familiar to staff. Whipple echoed Tim's confidence that teachers could handle the new technology. Though no vote was taken on the measure, Supt. Dave Hales said technology is an area in which the district has been lacking. He and other board members are confident the plan will be fully realized.
Whipple said a fair use policy will need to be developed for the computers, that teachers would be allowed to take home, but said it did not necessarily need to be part of the union contract.