Politics & Government

Election 2011: Cass District 63 Candidates on Technology

Candidates offer their perspectives on key Cass School District 63 issues.

Do you think the district's schools are staying competitive when it comes to technology? What role do you think technology should play in schools?

Computers and technology are important and useful tools for teachers. Smart Boards, for example, help make the teachers effective. Likewise, in today's society children have to develop technological proficiency such that they can optimally utilize technology as they move to the high school. Currently, most Cass 63 students make this jump easily.  

Given the financial constraints we have, I do think District 63 schools are competitive in the use of technology. Fortunately we have received donations from our parent organizations to help provide the tools necessary. There is a District Technology Committee, which includes parents, currently studying where D63 needs to be in the future. They should be making their recommendations soon.

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I believe that technology is essential for learning today, not just so students can use the technology when they move on to high school, but also because of all the educational tools it makes available to the teachers. It really enhances the learning experience. Last year I helped host a “Technology Open House” at Cass Junior High. It was eye opening to see what teachers can do when there is a one-to-one student to computer ratio, or through the use of smart boards.

Some districts are staying more competitive than others. Technology does and should play a valuable role in schools. It provides students with endless tools and resources. Technology exists in virtually every aspect of life. The more the children are exposed to it, the more comfortable they become using it. It brings knowledge right to their fingertips, literally. Kids today can find information today with just a few key strokes. At one time finding that same information would have taken days. Using technology is essential to prepare kids today for their tomorrow.

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I do believe we are staying competitive with technology.  We have a technology committee that comprises administrators, board members, teachers and community members that reviews our current technology on yearly basis. This is critical to a strategic plan for the district because technology plays a large role in everyone’s life and can be a large expense if not anticipated and managed correctly. We have found cost-effective ways to maximize the use of technology through leasing options that do not tie the district down to hardware that outdates itself in a short time. While teaching and learning, I feel, is best done in a classroom with teachers interacting with students, it would be naive to discount the incredible opportunities technology brings to a classroom. Technology has incredible potential to enhance an educational experience that at District 63, is already exceeding state standards. We need to continue to utilize technology enhancements in teaching and learning to keep our students achieving at a high level.

Bill Carpenter

Yes, our district has been adding technology. I believe technology should be utilized to its fullest in the classroom.


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