Peabody school board debates technology

PEABODY – The Peabody School Committee met last night for their first official discussion of the 2009 budget proposal. The meeting began with talks focused around the $60.23 million operating budget (up 2.72 percent from last year), but later turned into a philosophical debate about the impact of technology on a student’s education.The turn of events began with budget line item 20 regarding the addition of technology paraprofessionals, who would assist teachers with computer-related tasks, at the Brown School, as well as the other seven elementary schools. The discussion raised doubts for Committee member Dave McGeney that technology (through the use of computer labs) was even beneficial to a child at such an early change.”I’m not positive it’s the best use of time for kids,” he said, noting the importance of the fundamentals of education. “Kids need to know how to read, write, and do math.”McGeney said that there are also many underlying costs with maintaining computer labs, money he believes could be spent on something more important.”(We) could take that money and put it where it’s needed more,” he said, adding that children today learn more playing on computers at home than they do in the classroom. “We’re not dooming these kids” by not having computer labs.Mike Moutsoulas tossed around the idea of possibly using the nearly $44,000 designated for technology paraprofessionals and using it for a math specialist instead, as American children haven fallen behind much of the world in the universal subject.Beverly Ann Griffin Dunne agreed with the need for a math specialist, but felt strongly about the benefits of computer lab classroom time.”Kids are learning,” she said, referencing the gains she’s noticed in her own children. “I’ve been amazed at what they know?We still need labs at every level.”Committee Chair Ed Nizwantowski questioned any valid research that shows the educational benefits of computer usage in students, particularly at a younger age.Assistant Superintendent Joe Mastrocola responded that in fact, studies show the opposite, that technology doesn’t make a difference in students’ test scores.With the many different facts and opinions presented Tuesday night, members opted to recess and take time to absorb the information before making a final decision.