[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Case Study: A Technology Referendum

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Case Study: A Technology Referendum
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1219377329.shtml


   I've been keeping tabs on the neighboring public schools just north of
   us, District 279, a.k.a. Osseo. Like my own Robbinsdale Area Schools
   (281), they are back for another try this year. Last year, Osseo
   voters opted for just 1 of the 3 referendums put before them. This
   year, there are 2 questions, one of them for technology.
   Specifically, they are asking for $5 million for 5 years of technology
   and training. As I hinted in a prior post, such requests overcome my
   normal inclination to vote yes and I think this one illustrates why.
   First, a little history gleaned from the annual reports available on
   the [1]District 279 web site.
     * 1998-1999: The District established a three year technology plan
       to upgrade administrative applications, upgrade the network
       infrastructure, install T-1 lines to all buildings and continue
       the investment in technology for teacher and student access.
     * 2001-2002: The District invested about $ 3.5 million in additional
       technology.
     * 2002-2003: The District invested almost $ 3.9 million in
       additional technology.
     * 2003-2004: The District invested more than $ 3.9 million in
       additional technology.
     * 2004-2005: The District invested almost $ 4.7 million in
       additional technology.
     * 2005-2006: The District invested approximately $ 357 thousand in
       additional technology.
     * 2006-2007: The District invested $ 5,258,309 in additional
       technology.

   Other than a one year breather, the District has spent several million
   dollars each year. Some of the more expensive projects were done
   several years ago. So how is it that the District suddenly needs a
   jump start in technology?
   It really isn't much of a jump start either, basically an additional
   million dollars a year, much less than their average annual spending
   on technology, well under one half of one percent of the District's
   total annual spending. What is it for? Equipment and training reports
   the Sun Post:

     "Technology enables us to reach far and wide," Chief Technology
     Officer Tim Wilson said. "There is no reason students can't have
     the globe as their resource. Technology allows students to
     contribute, share, and gather resources globally."
     Wilson continued by stating "we must prepare our students for the
     world they inhabit" and "technology education fosters development
     in 21st-century skills."

   If this prosaic prose answers a question, it would be why?, but the
   voters need to know what the money will actually be spent on.
   They also need to understand why such a relatively small amount even
   need be put before them. What is it that just can't wait? (XP to
   Vista!?) To listen to the "CTO" one would think this is the beginning
   of Internet service in the District. The word "training" is also
   suspicious, but I'd settle for knowing who is being trained.
   This is really just a time question. Anything worth doing the District
   would eventually do anyway, just maybe a year or two later and by then
   it will likely be cheaper. The computer marketplace hasn't seen much
   technical turbulence of late. I'm posting on a six year old PC running
   XP and plenty fast enough to keep up with the Comcast broadband. Sure,
   more speed, a DVD burner, and a flat screen HD monitor would be nice
   and I could get that for half what I paid for this system. But for
   what our family does with it, this is fine.
   So is my my work PC, a three year old workhorse of a laptop, just
   upgraded to 2 GB ram in fact. Upgrading to a new laptop would be
   nicer, but provide no extra capabilities applicable to my job.
   Networks are also fairly stable, just cheaper and with a few more
   security bells and whistles.
   Finally, remember that this money in fungible. By having dedicated
   funding for something you'd eventually buy anyway, you are creating
   budgetary room for other items, much as the Transit Tax bill pulled
   money out of the Bonding Bill to make more room for arenas, light
   rail, and other pork. Ultimately, would I as a taxpayer ever truly
   know where this $5 million is going?
   It's not my District, but if it were, on the face of it my vote would
   be an easy and obvious NO on this referendum request.

References

   1. http://www.district279.org/services/Business/AnnualFinancialReport.cfm