New copiers lead to debate in District 25

School districts lag far behind when it comes to living in a paperless world.

Last year a second copier machine was added at four Arlington Heights schools - South Middle School, Thomas Middle School, Westgate Elementary School and Windsor Elementary School. This year the remaining five schools in District 25 also want a second copier, said Assistant Superintendent of Business Stacey Mallek at Thursday's school board meeting.

"There are wait times and copier breakdowns," Mallek said. "Principals with one copy machine in their building are very frustrated."

However some school board members said the district should strive to make fewer copies and not more.

"I don't know how the little kids carry those backpacks," said board member Dan Petro.

Mallek said adding a second copy machine doesn't necessarily mean teachers make more copies, but it does make it easier.

"It will reduce that wait time," she said.

Superintendent Sarah Jerome admitted District 25 - and most school districts - don't do a very good job when it comes to reducing paper waste and helping the environment.

"The idea of being more paperless has escaped us in education," Jerome said. "The trend is toward more copying, not less."

There are about 13 million copies made in District 25 each year, Mallek said. Most of those copies are student work sheets made from master textbooks, she said.

All District 25 schools have wireless Internet access.

The school board will vote on adding five more copiers at its Aug. 28 meeting.