Technology is on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board’s agenda Wednesday night, with a proposal to buy about $90,000 worth of Apple computers for Schoenbar Middle School.
The Macbook Air laptops will continue the school district’s one-to-one program, which aims to provide a laptop computer for every student.
On a related note, a memo in the board’s packet from district technology supervisor Jurgen Johannsen talks about potential filtration software to keep students from using their school-issued computers inappropriately.
The memo stems in part from an incident at Schoenbar when some students hacked into the school’s computer system. Board members wanted information about potentially adding security software to the laptops.
In his memo, Johannsen recommends against purchasing additional filters. He writes that after examining all the student laptops at Schoenbar, it’s clear that the vast majority of students use the computers only for schoolwork. Security software would hinder their ability to do that work, he adds, so the benefits would not outweigh the negative impact.
Also Wednesday, the School Board will consider four teaching contracts and one administrative contract, and a motion to accept BAM Construction’s approximately $500,000 bid to build changing rooms at the Fawn Mountain athletic field.
The School Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Borough Assembly chambers at the White Cliff building. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
