Score one for the visting team!

In a March conversation with Pleasantdale technology specialist Judith Stevens, she was asked how many interactive white boards our district had. She stated the district did not have any. She was also asked if the district had plans to purchase any and she stated no. She went on to say the district was in the first year of a three year technology plan and at the present time there weren't any plans for things like interactive whiteboards, senteo clickers or document cameras but they were in the process replacing the tvs with monitors.

At the candidates forum we pointed out that our district was grossly behind many other districts including poverty stricken districts such as Markham and Joliet in the area of technology. While other districts were forging ahead we had no plans to do so. We also spoke of a study done by Robert Marzano who found that school districts who use interactive whiteboards have seen a rise in test scores. The current board members at the forum spoke of the wonderful mod tech program Pleasantdale had and that this program was sufficient in the area of technology.

This was our position:

"The technology program in our school district is seriously lacking. Our middle school computer lab is staffed with a teacher that has no expertise in the subject of modular technology. It was a poor decision of the administration to make this staff change that put our students at a disadvantage. While surrounding school districts are forging ahead in the area of technology using things like Smart Technology and Mimio Interactive Boards, our district has remained stagnant. The future lies in technology and it is time for our school to get on board and keep pace with the advances in technology that will in turn benefit our students.""

Now, just two months later, Pleasantdale has decided to seek out funds to purchase interactive whiteboards. At last night's board meeting, the school board approved an IDEA stimulus expenditure proposal in which funds will be used to purchase 48 Promethean Active Boards and document cameras.

This NEVER would have happened if we hadn't pointed out the serious inadequacies of our technology program during our campaign and at the candidate's forum in March.

Oh, and during a recent audit of our district, the ISBE found that the middle school mod tech instructor has no training in the area of technology and should not be teaching it. Therefore changes to the program must be made. Stay tuned to see what happens.