Technology Initiative Advances
at Fast Clip
Considering the broad scope of the Huntington School District's ambitious initiative to upgrade its computer technology and related equipment, it's somewhat remarkable that most teachers and students have not encountered a single problem in the opening weeks of the 2012/13 school year.
The district replaced hundreds of computers and printers with new models in several buildings over the summer. Since then technicians have been busy tying up remaining loose ends and responding to the usual issues that are bound to pop up in a district with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students.
"The technology staff is engaged in troubleshooting, installations, set-ups and reimaging of various technologies across the district," Assistant Superintendent Sam Gergis said. "Computers installed during the summer are functioning properly at all sites, with minimal reported problems. Technology staff members are completing the installation of interactive whiteboards and specific software needs at Flower Hill and Southdown. Once finished, the tech staff will reimage laptops at both sites with updated software for instructional use."
Mr. Gergis said the tech staff has also been responding to a steady stream of requests for "technology set-ups" for professional development workshops for teachers. "The requests include software installation on specific computers, modifying the set-up in the Jack Abrams School computer lab for different presentations and installation of additional Apperson machines and software at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School so teachers may complete their [APPR related] pre-assessments," Mr. Gergis said.
Technicians have completed the installation of computers on Finley's first floor and in that school's technology labs and library. "An additional 20 computers require installation and set-up within Finley classrooms," Mr. Gergis said. "This phase of the technology plan will be complete this week."
Since the district received such good prices on the computers and printers it intended to purchase for the first year of the four year technology initiative, the project has advanced at a much faster clip than originally planned.
"The remaining funds from the first year of the technology initiative will focus on computers at Huntington High School," Mr. Gergis said. "We will consult with the staff to identify the areas of greatest need."
The district is currently targeting the purchase of about 100 computers for the high school. Those computers were not scheduled for replacement until the third year of the original technology plan.