7/21/1997 SCHOOL - HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Minutes

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' 4[ M-A RP E HIGH SCHOOL BUILDNG COMMrFTEEMEETING MINUTE TUESDAYS JULY 21, 1997 TOWN HALL Present: Janice llrlills, Joe Polito, Merry Sue Ahlgren, Paul Griffin, Peter Dinizio Ian Aitchison, Jinn Byrne, John Williams, like pietrowski, Joe Augenblick„Mike I irwin, Tom O'Connor Meeting convened at 4,-07 p.m. TECHNOLOGY Paul met with the School Department 2 weeks ago to discuss the ultimate, long terra use of technology. He would like to see how technology can be used to help students with special needs, students who are falling behind but also to help those students who want to advance. Paul is gong before the Selectmen tonight with theCommittee's request for the phase U technology purchase. Peter asked how this list, before the Committee today, was derived? Paul said it was derived at a meeting with Dr. DeMoura, Joe Augenblick, Mike Pietrowski, John. Williams and himself John Williams explained he and Joe Augenbliek determined which classrooms were still in reed of computers. They would also like to start expanding the offerings to students. The second floor computer lab will be used as a resource for teachers,they can sign up to use it with their students to work on special projects, etc. The 12 lap tops they have now are all signed out and there is a waiting list. He has assigned one,to a special ed student with fine motor skill problems and that has worked very well. Eventually there will be 60-70 teachers in this building. The remainder of the list is support equipment. The automated phone system will call the hone of students on the absence list, continually until answered. It will allow the school to send messages home to students. Codex Video Modem expands the capability to use video conferencing. It allow interaction with the other party. It would be an asset for outside giro ups to use for conferences. Paul said the key issue is that we have spent so much on technology we need to see the school department get as much out of it as possible. It is most important to have a well thought out plan and take the time to discuss it and make the right purchases for the right reasons, before going before the eleetrnen. Derry Sue does not see much software on this list, do the computers cone with a lot or is there a software budget. John Williams said the phase I machines came with a lot of software, It was all cataloged and is being used. Deter asked John Williams if the 154 additional computers will meet the schools needs or will