To: School Board

Centennial School District

From: Chip Flemmer

Consultant

Date: September 25, 2007

Re: Digital Equity Recommendations

There is a gap that exists between people and communities who can make effective use of information technology and those who cannot and it is known as the “digital divide.” We as educators need to seriously consider this topic and look into ways in which we can bridge the gap for the students of our community. It is my goal, and I am hoping that it is also the goal of the school board, to promote “digital equity” by working toward ensuring that all of the students in our school district have equal access to technology tools, computers, and the internet. I am proposing three ways in which we can raise the bar technologically to the benefit of our students.

First of all, I would like to see fully-functioning computer labs in each of our schools. These labs would feature thirty computers with internet access, one color printer, one black and white printer, and an LCD projector for use in the technology classroom. To accomplish this lofty goal, I propose that we contact The National Institute for Community Innovations which has teamed-up with the Computers for Schools organization (http://www.pcsforschools.org/) to provide refurbished computers to schools for 1/3 the price of new computers. I want to see us cut costs, but not cut corners. I want to see quality computers and technology in our classrooms and the Computers for Schools organization will take the computers they refurbish and update them with Microsoft software to keep them current with educational technology standards

Second, I would like each individual classroom in our school district to have at least one teacher computer and two student computers. These computers would all have internet access. I propose using the federally funded Schools and Libraries program, E-Rate, to help us achieve this goal. We will save anywhere from 20-90% on our phone and internet services using E-Rate (http://www.fcc.gov/learnnet/).