Tech Overhaul At McCallum?
Most of the computers at public schools tend to be unreliable, with the standard computer used being ( ) It's a day to day hinderance that most students tolerate, and school still goes on with it, but have you ever considered the possibility of a technology overhaul at McCallum? Many teachers actually feel the same way. Mrs. Carrasco, the Pre-AP World Geography/AP Human Geography teacher, was all in favor of a computer overhaul. "We can't have online textbooks without a reliable way to access them." she said, "We have needed an update since about five years ago." Mr. Fidelman, who teaches the Business Information Management class said, "It's funny that you should ask that. The teacher meetings the school has periodically actually have that as a topic of conversation. AISD tends to be more on the reactionary side of things in terms of technology, very slow on the upkeep. The rules actually say that the computers of an AISD school must be updated and replaced once every five years, and many labs such as this one are in desperate need of an overhaul."
Several students offered their opinions on what McCallum's tech department needed. "Aside from free iPads for all the students?" Elsa Roberts jokingly replied, "I think that a more organized and united way to access class papers and resources is necessary, along with faster wifi, if possible." Rachel Williams thought that if the school felt that the school felt that this was needed, then that's where the funds should be going. Ting Goodfriend felt that the library's computers were in need of an update as well, as they run very slowly. A student who wished to remain unnamed voiced against the possible overhaul, saying it would take valuable funds into an unneeded area. "Ok, unpopular opinion here, I don't think that the technology at McCallum is really in need of an update. If you need to get your homework off the internet because you didn't prepare for it in class, you deserve to struggle with the system for your irresponsibility. Please don't put my name in this."
Although the prospect of giving all the McCallum technology an overhaul is a nice one, there is still another side of this story. Is this plan within the budget? Even if it is, is it really the best way to allocate the scarce school funds? Perhaps it would be better to spend that money on the teacher's paychecks, or the special needs program, or even the lunches. 87% of the schools budget is spent on paying the teachers paychecks, much bigger than the 1.1% spent on supplies, which governs the computer allowance. This means that the same boost applied to supplies will have a much bigger effect than on the teacher's paychecks, or on much of anything else. The point is moot anyhow, as AISD rules specifically state that we will have another technology update, whether we need it or not.
Although the prospect of giving all the McCallum technology an overhaul is a nice one, there is still another side of this story. Is this plan within the budget? Even if it is, is it really the best way to allocate the scarce school funds? Perhaps it would be better to spend that money on the teacher's paychecks, or the special needs program, or even the lunches. 87% of the schools budget is spent on paying the teachers paychecks, much bigger than the 1.1% spent on supplies, which governs the computer allowance. This means that the same boost applied to supplies will have a much bigger effect than on the teacher's paychecks, or on much of anything else. The point is moot anyhow, as AISD rules specifically state that we will have another technology update, whether we need it or not.
Sam Trickey
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