The following article was posted in The Peekskill Patch:
A planned technology upgrade in Peekskill schools will focus primarily on Peekskill High School and the new alternative education program under a scaled-back version unveiled last week.
Janice E. Reid, manager of educational technology, told the Board of Education May 1 that the smaller plan, excluding alternative education, will cost an estimated $567,650, down from the original $1,034,100. The 21st Century Learning Center, as the alternative education program is known, will cost an estimated $71,452, down from the original $89,502.
While the smaller plan includes some work throughout the district, the bulk of the upgrading is focused on the high school because of the need there, Reid explained. The networking
equipment is outdated, connectivity is slow and the computers range in age from 1 to 11 years old. The planned upgrades include desktop replacement of 285 PCs and 25 Macs, installation of interactive whiteboards and projectors and installation of copper cable.
Plans for the alternative education program include three laptops to support teachers, two carts with 20 laptops each, a shared printer, two interactive whiteboards and projectors, a file server and installation of copper cable.
Superintendent of Schools James Willis noted that the technology upgrades qualify for e-rate state aid of 80 percent.
In a related matter the district plans to spend an estimated $60,000 for implementation of the 21st Century Learning Center, including online customized learning plans, distance learning opportunities and professional development for its teachers.
Discussions are currently underway to house the 21st Century Learning Center in two classroom in the high school which are currently used as computer labs.
