Technology plan includes $1.16M allocation

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen school board heard a presentation on the district's technology during their regular board meeting Monday, Jan. 4. Directory of Technology Melanie Chandler gave an overview of the district's technology for the school year, which included the proposed Smart Schools Investment Plan Budget. She said the board will have time to review the plan before it comes before them at their next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Chandler said the district has a total Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) allocation of $1,167,000 to be used for technology device and infrastructure upgrades. However, aside from a small amount of wiring that needs to be done, Superintendent Tom Phillips said Watkins Glen can focus this funding exclusively on educational technology.
"Our planning has put us in a position that no other district in the region is in," Phillips said. "[...] We are not spending a dime on infrastructure. This is all money we can use to put into student and teacher instruction and learning."
Chandler said some of the first things they plan to improve with this funding includes supplementing their computer hardware budget by $67,000 annually for three years. She said this is to ensure they have enough money to replace the computer hardware they have right now. Chandler also said they plan to use $200,000 for classroom STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) technology, which includes items like 3D printers and virtual welders. The plan also includes some $50,000 for the virtual board replacements, which Chandler noted are nearing the end of their life expectancy.
Chandler said the district does not have to spend this allocation all at once, noting the current investment plan will reserve some $640,000 to use for a later date. Chandler said the plan went to BOCES for pre-approval and must be approved by the board at their next board meeting. Then it must be posted on the school's website for 30 days before being submitted to the state for approval.
In other business:
• Keith Miller from Hunt Engineers presented a certificate to the board of education for "Outstanding Design Award for 2015" for the district's recent school project. They had submitted the design last fall to an organization call Learning by Design and the school had won the award. The school is recognized in their magazine "Learning by Design."
• Diana Groll, music teacher recognized a group of students' who attended Area All State recently. Peter Sandritter, attended Junior High Area All State in Hornell. Alexis Atchie, Gabriella Decker, Hanley Elliott, Ruthe Gardner and Conlin Wysocki attended the Senior High Area All State held in Corning. James St. Julien participated in the Conference All State, which was held at the Rochester Convention Center.