School Board Approves Revised Tech Plan; Decision on Tablets Deferred One Year

The first phase of a revised technology plan to put touch tablets in the hands of every student and teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools by 2016 was approved Nov. 15 by the School Board, even though two-thirds of its members will not return after December.

The plan will increase costs by $1.6 million next year, said schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick, but only continues the present plan, mostly by developing digital infrastructure. The board deferred by one year the ultimate decision of whether to shift from paper textbooks to electronic “tablets” for students and staff on a one-to-one basis.

That one year allows six new School Board members to study the technology proposal, which according to Board member Jennifer Bergel (Catoctin) has already been under scrutiny for 18 months.

“This is something the [new] Board should take a close look at,” said Chairman John Stevens (Potomac), one of six members who will leave the board at the end of the year.

Submission of a technology plan is required by the state at five-year intervals, according to Sharon Ackerman, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.

The revised plan passed 6 to 2 with one member absent and Joseph Guzman (Sugarland Run) and Bob Ohneiser (Broad Run), who are both leaving the board, voting no.

Tom Marshall voted yes, but asked why no pilot study was done before the board was asked to convert the whole school system to using touch tablets.

Ackerman said pilots are under way in the science program at Heritage High School and the Academy of Science at Dominion High School, in Sterling, where all students have dedicated digital devices.

“We have teachers who have implemented more digital content but on shared computers rather than one to one devices,” Ackerman said. “The year will allow us to conduct a couple of smaller pilots.”

TAX CREDIT PROPOSED

The school board voted to add to its state legislative agenda a recommendation that families receive a $250 state tax credit when they buy technological devices for students whether for public, private or home school use.

“Families of students would purchase the equipment and increase their learning capabilities through technology,” said Tom Reed (At-Large), who made the proposal. 

Vice Chairman Priscilla Godfrey said if and when the schools require tablets for students, they should be bought in bulk “to drive the price down."

“At the risk of shocking you, I strongly support this motion,” said Ohneiser, who has sometimes argued with Reed on the dais.

It would send “an extremely necessary message” to state leaders who might otherwise “ratchet us down with the composite index,” which determines how much support local schools receive from the state, Ohneiser said. “He is opening the door in the right direction.” 

“This would not be adverse to anyone in Virginia,” said Tom Marshall (Leesburg). “If it is picked up by other school districts, it would validate Mr. Reed’s suggestion.”

Stevens said the tax credit “does not benefit everyone” and could put tablets “out of reach of those most in need of access to technology.”

“We are not talking about the tech plan,” Reed said in defense of his motion. “It will relieve the burden on those who don’t have children”  in public schools. But he said “ninety percent of our [school] families would take advantage” of such a tax credit.

The motion passed narrowly, 4-3-1-1, with Reed, Marshall, Ohneiser and Guzman voting in favor and Godfrey, Stevens, and Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) against. Bergel abstained, saying she had not expected the vote that day, and Robert DuPree (Dulles) was absent.

STAGGERED TERMS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS?

The board will also ask the General Assembly to allow staggered terms for School Board members effective with the next election in 2015 so that “no more than half the board is replaced at one time,” Reed said. That vote was 5-3-0-1.

After the Nov. 8 election, six of nine School Board members will not return. Guzman and DuPree did not seek re-election and Godfrey, Stevens, Ohneiser, and Marshall were not re-elected. Reed will return for a fourth term, Bergel for a second, and Sheridan for her first full term.