PARIS — The School Administrative District 17 Board of Directors on Monday approved a request to spend up to $220,000 to upgrade technology at the district’s elementary schools.
The vote is contingent on SAD 17 receiving approval of the district’s E-Rate application that will pay for 80 percent of the project. The remaining $40,000 will come from the budget, Superintendent Rick Colpitts said.
The project will upgrade the elementary schools’ wireless technology that is eight to 10 years old and in many cases not adequate for the demand, Colpitts said.
If approved, the district will use nearly 100 percent of the money over the next five years.
“If the E-rate application is not approved, the project is dead,” Colpitts said. He said the application has been filed and the district expects to hear in about a month.
In other news, Patrick Carson, school health coordinator, gave a presentation on the Roberts Farm experiential learning center initiative at the request of school board member Don Gouin.
The farm is on Roberts Road in Norway.
Carson told directors about the history of the farm, data being collected on health and summer summer learning, curriculum and community involvement and the future of the initiative.
The wide-ranging curriculum and benefits from student activities were discussed. Board members recieved a video presentation made by two middle school students involved in the project.
Curriculum director Heather Manchester also updated the board on the district’s progress toward proficiency-based diplomas. The Maine Department of Education is expected to come to the district in late March or early April to discuss the district’s progress toward implementing the new standards. Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Principal Ted Moccia said the middle and high school staffs are involved in the effort.
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