Tech upgrades to start in Warden schools this fall
By CHERYL SCHWEIZER
For The Sun Tribune
WARDEN — All sixth-graders and 10 Warden School District teachers will receive laptop computers for the 2019-20 school year. It’s part of the district’s plan to upgrade technology available to teachers and students, funded by a capital levy approved by voters in April.
Touch devices will be installed in the first grade classrooms as part of the first year.
The three-year levy will generate an estimated $217,652 in the first year. Along with technology upgrades, the money will be spent to improve campus security.
District technology director Jeff Kottong estimated the sixth-grade component, 85 computers and three carrying carts, would cost $20,400 for the computers and $5,400 for the carts. Ten teachers will receive laptops as part of the “untethered teacher initiative.” Estimated cost was $15,000.
Kotting said there’s a lot of demand for computers of that model, which resulted in price increases since he got estimates in February. The demand also means some production is lagging, which may delay delivery until after the start of the school year, Kottong said. Delivery is scheduled for late August.
The computers will be in use for five years, Kottong said, so in his opinion the district should purchase the best technology available.
The touch devices will be installed in four classrooms in the first year; total cost is $20,000.
Because the money won’t be collected until 2020, Warden School Board members approved the use of $97,100 from the capital projects fund to pay part of the purchase. The money will be paid back when the levy is collected.
More computers will be purchased next summer; the goal is to buy 120 laptops for the elementary school and 15 for teachers. Another 75 will be purchased for the incoming sixth grade, and touch devices will be installed in kindergarten classrooms.
Security upgrades will include single entries at each building as well as additional security cameras around the campus. Maintenance director Tim Fought said district officials are working on a bid package. Fought has been in contact with contractors who are interested in the project, he said, and the estimates are the job would take three weeks to a month.
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