Dist. 200 candidates say schools are behind on technology

The five candidates for three open seats on the Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board agree the district is behind on technology.

Each candidate, though, has identified different aspects of the district's implementation of more technology they would like to focus on if elected.

Incumbent Jim Gambaiani, a 62-year-old CEO of a software company, said while he supports technology — especially because his career has been in the technology field — he doesn't believe it will “replace what goes on in the classroom.”

“I like technology,” he said. “I think it's needed. I think it has a place in academia. But I don't know if we understand how to balance that in the classroom today.”

In 2011, his first year on the board, Gambaiani said he voted against a $5 million technology request. He said he isn't fond of one-to-one devices right now and believes, overall, the district's recent approach to increasing technology has been “a little misguided” and “not a correct one.”

“Though we've put devices out there, the reality is, was it an effective use of those monies and those devices?” he said.

“I believe, as always, there's a balance, and you have to strike that balance of what goes on in that classroom between the teacher and the students and how much of that you want to be being driven by technology.

“It needs great attention,” he said. “There's a lot of heavy lifting that has to be done to make sure we're using the dollars effectively, if dollars are earmarked (for technology).”

Incumbent Jim Vroman, a 66-year-old retired attorney, said he doesn't anticipate the district will go to the one-to-one device per student ratio that some neighboring districts have, but instead will likely take a “melded approach.”

He said the board will have more direction when the district's Future in Technology committee presents final recommendations on student-to-device ratios at the end of the year.

Vroman said the district's technology infrastructure is “up to par,” but the district hasn't been able to install and implement all the upgrades that have been identified due to budget constraints.

“In order to have a balanced budget the last two years we've had to made cutbacks in what was planned for technology capital expenditures,” he said. “They're being phased in at a slower rate than we had anticipated because of our need to have a balanced budget, but it's getting there.”

District 200 Parent Teacher Association President Chris Crabtree, 50, said she also doesn't believe online learning should replace classroom instruction, but she would like to see all students exposed to at least one online class during their high school years.

Overall, she believes the district is “a little behind,” but she thinks the use of technology in the schools has grown “exponentially” in the past two years.

“I'd like us to continue the forward momentum that we're doing and I think maybe that little gap that we do have will correct itself soon,” she said.

However, Crabtree said before more technology is introduced, she would like the district to ensure staff understands how to use different devices and feels comfortable doing so.

“It's not just putting technology in a building,” she said. “So much of it relies on professional development and the comfort level of the staff that's using technology as another means of learning.”

Like Gambaiani, Crabtree said she isn't convinced the district needs to move to a one-to-one device format.

“It shouldn't replace all aspects, but I do feel that we need to use it to enhance,” she said.

Gary Tonn, a 62-year-old District 200 special education teacher assistant, said he feels the district's technology plan right now is to “not have a plan.”

He pointed out that in his department, there are mini iPads, iPads, Chrome Books and a variety of laptops being used by students.

“We have all those different types of technology floating around just within my department,” he said. “I don't think you can successfully and cost-effectively move forward with that approach.”

Tonn said he would like to see the district focus on putting together a technology plan that has short-term, midterm and long-term goals.

“If your long-term plan is that you want to have Chromebooks for every student, then why are you buying mini iPads?” he said. “I don't care if they're on grants or whatever. Don't buy them. Convince people (who want to donate technology) to buy Chromebooks.”

Tonn also suggests the district consider replacing the desktop computers located in each classroom for teachers to use with a mobile device that they can carry with them from room to room.

“We're not talking, probably, a lot more money there and we're talking about ... satisfying a teacher's needs at the same time,” he said.

Judith Zapf, a 48-year-old Realtor, said she would like to see the district take more consideration into the distribution of technology throughout all the schools.

For example, she said every classroom at her son's school, Washington Elementary, has a SMART Board, or interactive whiteboard.

“That can't be said about all of our elementary schools,” she said, adding that the reasons the SMART Boards are in Washington is because the school's PTA made their purchase a priority.

“Not all PTAs have those kinds of assets to be able to support to that level in their individual schools,” Zapf said. “So I think that's something we need to be conscious of, making sure that schools are treated equally and all students have the same advantages, to the degree that we can do that.”

Zapf also agreed with some of the other candidates that it is important to give staff the proper training before introducing additional technology.