DesotoExplorer.com

After a long debate Monday, the De Soto USD 232 Board of Education gave Technology Director Ben Crosier approval of a $2.3 million expansion of thin-client technology.

Most of the money will be used for a technology data center at the district service center in downtown De Soto. The data center would be a computer structure that would function as headquarters for the district's expansion of thin-client computer applications. The data center would allow as many as 600 users throughout the district.

Superintendent Sharon Zoellner said efforts would now be made to prepare staff to teach students with the new equipment in the classroom.

Thin client would replace full-blown laptop computers, such as those introduced at Riverview Elementary and Lexington Trails Middle School. Unlike the laptops, the thin client would make use of computing devices like PDAs and tablets that wouldn't be programmed with software programs. Instead they would access central district computer servers loaded with software programs.

The Board accepted the concept of a "technology encompassing a data center with thin client solution."

With the decision, thin client will be introduced in the Woodsonia replacement elementary school that is set to open in August. The next focus was its introduction in middle schools and high schools. Zoellner said district administrators would start discussing a timeline for that introduction after the holiday break.

Expansion of thin client at the elementary level remained the biggest sticking point for Board members, who remained in favor of the project as a whole.

The Board approved of the option that would cost the district $2.3 million up front for the data center project. This number does not take into account additional costs for devices that will be needed or an upgrade to bandwidth capabilities.

"The Board's decision to implement a large-scale technology data center should serve our growing district's needs for many years to come," Crosier said. "We'll need a bond issue plus money to be leased out of capital outlay to fund the project."

Board members William Waye and Don Clark expressed concerns about the thin client solution. They worried about the costs and its usefulness at the elementary level.

"We still need to figure out where the money will come from," Waye said. "I worry about whether or not elementary school students will really be using the equipment in the late afternoon and evening."

In the end, they joined other Board members in supporting the measure.

The Board was told in April that the thin client system would cost $10.9 million to install districtwide. By contrast, the cost of installing laptops in all district schools would carry an estimated $15.7 million pricetag.

Crosier was also given clearance to purchase 40 new Zenith television sets to replace the outdated monitors across the district. The $21,781 cost for the replacement televisions will be furnish

funds.

Director of Educational Services Doug Powers recommended to the Board that additional purchases should be made to provide students with computer programs like Kidspiration, Ainsworth, and Accelerated Reader. In addition, equipment such as video cameras, editing software, data projectors, and LeapFrogs, were all becoming essential devices to stay ahead of the technology goals the district has set.

"Staff development is going to be needed at each building so that they feel comfortable teaching with this equipment," Powers said. "Participants in the thin client conceptual classroom review have all expressed that these things are necessary for classrooms as the district moves ahead to provide increased educational opportunities through technology."