Stimulus funds to upgrade technology in classrooms

Money also aimed at Evergreen opening

Friday, June 12, 2009

Schools are expecting almost $6.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, most of which comes with strict usage requirements. The money is not guaranteed to come again next fiscal year.

"For us, it didn't create jobs, as much as preserve jobs," Superintendent Michael Martirano said of the "one-time" stimulus money.

Money identified for Title I schools totaling $1.4 million will be used upgrade all kindergarten through grade five classrooms in the county's four Title I elementary schools — Green Holly, Lexington Park, George Washington Carver and Park Hall.

The classrooms will be outfitted with SMART board technology, which includes an interactive white board and projector and quick-response equipment for students.

Technology upgrades will also include access to Fast Math and the installation of audio systems in prekindergarten and kindergarten rooms to help phonemic awareness for sound development.

These improvements will "enhance those overall environments," for years to come, Martirano said.

Another $1.9 million in stimulus funds will go to upgrading 92 classrooms with SMART technology targeted towards mathematics in grades 6 through 9, including special education classrooms in middle school.

The money will also fund SMART technology in all ninth-grade remedial algebra and English classes and another eight elementary classrooms. "We are buying things, not people, because these things will be able to do all over the school system," Martirano said.

The school system will front the money for the boards out of its operating budget in hopes of repaying it when the federal dollars arrive later this year. "Our goal and hope is to have all of that in place by the beginning of the school year," Martirano said.

The school system hopes to contract out most of the installation work and has budgeted $51,700 to hire one technology teacher who will help teach the teachers how to use the new equipment.

Approximately $900,000 will go towards startup costs at Evergreen Elementary School and $400,000 will go to technology enhancements at the new school via a budget stabilization fund from the stimulus package.

Other stimulus dollars were expected to come that would be directed at school construction projects and education technology.

"At this point, there's basically nothing there," Martirano said of the categories, although money could be dolled out directly from the federal government later.

"I think this year gives flexibility a new name," school board Vice Chair Cathy Allen said. "The budget does preserve the things that are important to this board to make sure we continue to reach to the next level."

She said she was frustrated with the "chains" that came attached to the money, but that overall the improvements to the classrooms would help students' learning.

"I guess this is all a matter of priorities … and I would say you selected the right priorities," school board member Marilyn Crosby said to the superintendent.

Martirano warned that there would be more tough choices in next year's budget process as revenue projects shrink.

"We cannot afford to [run a deficit]. We have to be fiscally responsible," said Bill Mattingly, school board chair. "I hate to say this, but stay tuned, because there's more to come," he said of the tough economic times.

jyeatman@somdnews.com