Volunteers Wanted for Technology Advisory Committee

When the passed a technology referendum back in 1998 the sweeping upgrades put the district at the front of the class heading into the 21st century. Now, more than a decade later the district is looking at ways to improve what they have without the residents seeing their taxes go up. 

Superintendent Enid Golden said in order to see how that is possible, a committee is being formed to look at what options are available. "We've come to a crossroads because we need to refresh the current technology in the district," she said. "We've come to realize we cant' just refresh what we have. There have been a lot of new technologies and a lot of new things we can do."

Golden said she knows the changes that need to be made will not be cheap, but they also need to be done to help the students succeed when they leave the district. "We know it's going to be a money investment, but ultimately what we want to do is create a 21st century learning environment for our students," she said. 

Calling the students digital learners, Golden said there are new ways to teach the students that will help them in the classroom and in the real world. "We're basically still teaching them in the way that was in existence when I went to school," she said. 

The committee will look at three issues over the next few months. The main topic will be what technology is out there that makes the most sense for the students. Once the technology is found, Golden said the district's infrastructure will need to be evaluated to see whether it can handle the changes, or needs to be upgraded. 

Finally and arguably most importantly is how much the project will cost and how the district will pay for it. Golden said that part of the process will be undertaken with the interests of the taxpayers in mind. "The board is always interested in keeping the tax impact as low as possible," she said. For such an important project, Golden said, "We need the best minds in our community."

In addition to members of the community, the committee will include members of the district administration as well as teachers, staff members and building administrators as well. The person charged with leading the committee will be Claire Engle who is one of the district's supervisors of technology. There will also be students involved since they will be the ones ultimately using the new technology. 

Engle said with new curriculum initiatives coming down from Trenton and Washington DC this is a chance for the district to be proactive to be ready for whatever is coming down the pipe. "Looking at those standards there are 21st century skills that we need to look at," she said. "We need to look in the future to see what our students are going to be able to do."

Any possible changes are still in the very preliminary stages but Golden said some of the possibilities include a one to one computer program where each student would have their own machine they could use in the classrooms and for their homework. Even that is not a simple solution as the district may look at providing tablets rather than laptops as they may have done only a few years ago.

When they decide what technology to use, Golden said the district will then have to determine how they will begin the implementation. Unlike 1998 when the referendum allowed the changes to happen across the district at once, Golden said this time around will likely have to be a slower phase in project.

Looking at the costs to any improvements, Golden said they could also mean savings down the road for the schools. A move to a more digital educational program could mean savings on traditional items like textbooks. She said some publishers have started making digital versions of the book and are making them available at a lower cost.  

Engle said so far the district is looking at various options on various platforms including companies like Apple and Dell. "Everything is on the table right now in looking where those models are," she said. 

Golden also said that with technology constantly improving companies also work to help keep districts supplied with the most recent equipment available. Golden said one district that uses iPads has an agreement with Apple where every two years they will get a refresh of the technology. 

Working with other administrators from around the Freehold Regional High School District, Golden said everyone is aware of the challenges students are facing as well as the economic problems they will have to overcome to bring in the newest technology. "It's really not if it's going to happen, it's when it's going to happen," she said of one to one technology. 

Whatever the results of the committee are, Golden said she is confident the students in the district will be well served. "Our mission is to improve the educational program for our students and student achievement," she said. "You have to spend money in order to do that. The challenge is how are we going to do that and not increase the tax impact."

With the mission of the committee now established, Golden said they are looking forward to feedback from the community. She said they are looking for not only parents in the district, but also non-parents who are township residents. The various perspectives, she said, will help to give them a better picture of what needs to be done and what it will cost. 

Once they have their recomendations in place, Golden said they will be presented to the board of education for their discussion and implementation. Ideally, Golden said she would like to see some form of a pilot program in place in time for next school year. "We would like to see something in terms of a pilot for next year's budget and then have a phase in plan," she said.

Those residents interested in being a part of the committee are encouraged to send a letter to Trudy Stevenson explaining their interest and some background on why they would be an asset to the project.