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The UK Public School Board is starting the school year with millions of dollars spent on technology and other equipment with the aim of upgrading facilities for students.
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The Upper Canada District School Board announced at its board meeting this week that it has spent more than $5.2 million on technology equipment and furnishings, including computers and drones, for 68 classrooms across the region.
Specifically, the spending will benefit 40 elementary and 28 secondary school classrooms, the board said. These classrooms will see upgrades in the form of her 1,800 new desktop computers and 730 laptops for students, along with “new furniture to provide a more flexible study space.”
“Our goal is not for every student to have a school device,” Director of Education Ron Ferguson said at this week’s board meeting.
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Upgrades also include a 3D printer, drone pilot program, school network upgrade, office phone system replacement, laptop charging cart, new teacher laptops, replacement loaner device program and temporary staff. will be
According to Ferguson, one of the biggest costs was investing $900,000 to upgrade school tools and equipment for all secondary school tech shops.
“This could be the biggest single-year investment in our technology program in probably 20 years or more.”
The multi-million dollar spending is “part of the school board’s goal to engage students, staff and community partners in real-world learning and enhanced pathways,” the school board wrote in a release. increase.
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The school board was in the red just three years ago, but Ferguson said “sound financial planning” over the past few years has allowed it to reach a surplus and make these investments.
“Sound financial planning allowed us to make these additional investments at the end of last year. We were fortunate to have a board of trustees who planned and fully supported these actions,” said Ferguson. Told.
“Implementing these purchases and upgrades is just the beginning. We have innovative and ambitious goals defined in the school board’s overall strategic plan that we look forward to achieving. We want to encourage schools to continue this mindset and will work with them at central level to implement real-world learning activities and innovative opportunities. ”
This information was first shared as part of the Director’s update to the Board at the first meeting of the school year.