Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Despite some concerns raised by a candidate in the April election, the Clintonville Board of Education on Monday approved spending $35,000 for 130 laptop computers for a pilot program involving third- and seventh-graders.
The purchase is one step in a broader initiative to put technology in the hands of students. The plan, if approved by the board at a later date, will be to have Chromebooks for grades 3-12 and iPads for grades K-2, Principal Lance Bagstad said.
The Samsung Chromebooks will be purchased from Camera Corner Connecting Point of Green Bay. The money will come from the district’s fund balance.
The vote was unanimous, with Ben Huber absent.
Jim Schultz, a former science teacher who is running for a seat on the School Board, said he embraced the use of technological devices for students but raised some questions about how the district will monitor the program.
He said the technology would change how students are taught, and questioned how the district would measure the program’s effectiveness and whether it would affect students’ reading and writing skills. He also advised the board to be aware of additional costs, such as upgrades and virus protection.
And he said monitoring students’ use of the devices could create more friction between teachers and students.
“These are used to enhance the curriculum,” Bagstad said. “It is another way to engage kids. They won’t replace books or teachers, although there my be electronic textbooks.”
Bagstad said other school districts are using the computers and there are ways to protect them when students take them home.
“This is going to be learning for all of us,” said Dirk Weber, board president.