Shawano School District could be going down the same path as some neighboring schools when it comes to technology.
The School Board signed off Monday on a three-year district technology plan that will be sent to the Department of Public Instruction. That plan includes a one-to-one technology initiative that would give every student a technology device to be used for learning.
Bonduel School District implemented a one-to-one initiative in 2007 after voters approved a referendum enhancing the district’s technology budget by $150,000 and renewed it in 2013. Wolf River Lutheran High School has provided devices for every student for years, and Gresham School District began a one-to-one initiative in January.
Craig Young, technology director for the Shawano School District, told the board the cost to provide every student with a tablet or laptop is similar to the current cost of maintaining computer labs in each school. Young did not go into specifics about cost, and the plan did not provide information about the cost to make such a conversion.
“We can immediately start using learning resources (in class) instead of everyone going to a lab,” Young said. “Each student will be responsible for their own device, and in many cases they take better care of it because it is theirs. We’d have less maintenance costs during that time frame.
Board member Derek Johnson expressed reservations about a one-to-one initiative. He questioned whether it was necessary for each student to have a personal device.
“I don’t know why we need that,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to have every kid on a computer all at the same time. Some kids are in gym. Some kids are in cooking class. Some kids are here or there. Obviously, we don’t need to have every kid have a computer or device all the time.”
Board member Michael Sleeper questioned whether students would be allowed the alternative of using their own devices, potentially saving money for the district.
Young explained that all devices the district would purchase would come with a warranty in the event of malfunction, something the district could not extend to students’ personal tech devices. Students would be responsible for any major damage caused by their own neglect.
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