Triton Student Questions School's Level of Technology
Posted
Julie Harvey-
BOURBON – Triton student Ethan Yazel’s questions to the board dominated the meeting Monday night.
Yazel told the board that, in his opinion, the school’s technology department is years behind other schools, and they are leaving kids behind in the process.
Yazel questioned the board as to why they purchased 30 iPads last year (still sitting in the boxes) that the school’s Internet infrastructure can’t support with their current bandwidth. Yazel said that Triton students can’t keep up with the current system they are trying to work with, and that the business classes are learning business practices without functioning computers.
It was also brought up that the math department is still using the antiquated system of chalk and erasers. Yazel’s main concern was that the students who are participating in the Ivy Tech credited English classes can’t complete them with the current system.
Yazel, who was supported by a dozen other students present, spoke on behalf of the 70 percent of students whose families don’t have computers. He stated that he was grateful that his family is technologically up to date but all students don’t have that luxury.
The board shared Yazel’s frustration with the current situation, and assured him that they were “working on it.”
Deb Shively explained that these types of capital expenditures and changes take time, and are a process. She commended Yazel and the students for coming to the meeting, encouraging them and others to continue to attend meetings to understand the process.
Shively said that the board was putting a committee together to come up with a solution to the current problems.
When asked about a timeline for the iPads, Superintendent Carl Hilling said, “I can’t provide a timeline for you, but be assured that they (the IT department and board) are working on it and hopefully it will be solved in a couple of years.”
Elementary Principal Jeremy Riffle thanked Yazel and the other students for coming and added, “When issues like this present themselves, I encourage you to be a part of the solution rather than the problem.”
Seventh-grader Lee Taylor Eads was recognized with an “Expect the Best” certificate from the corporation for going the extra mile. Eads, a volleyball player, picked up trash in the bleachers and helped cleaning the gym following a volleyball game.
The board approved the following personnel changes: hiring Greg Christian Sr. as the sixth-grade boys basketball coach; hiring Dave Carpenter as the eighth-grade boys basketball coach; Shaun Belin, Jason Lemler, Jason Thompson, Adam Ulmer and Lee Ulmer as volunteer wrestling assistants for the 2011-2012 season; and Emily Duff, Jeremy Riffle, Devin Shively, Lindsay Stutzman and Allison Thacker as volunteer basketball assistants.
The board also approved the Art Club’s field trip to Chicago Oct. 29, and the Science Club’s field trip to Shedd Aquarium Nov. 12.
Principal Mike Chobanov wanted to recognize that the band received a Gold Rating in the Plymouth competition.
Doughnuts with dads is Thursday at the elementary school.
The fourth- and fifth-grade music program will be Oct. 17.
Saturday, Triton is hosting a free Electronic Recycling Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All electronics are accepted including televisions, monitors, laptops, printers, fax machines, copiers, VCR, keyboards, microwaves, speakers and cables.
