State may help to ‘digitize’ middle schools

Danette Goulet

Middle schools may have an onramp to the information superhighway in

every classroom if Newport-Mesa becomes one of the first districts to

participate in a new state program aimed at increasing technology in

education.

“It would be wonderful,” said school board member Serene Stokes. “The

earlier we can get our youngsters to successfully use computers, the

earlier they will be ready for this century.”A state Assembly bill that

proposes to provide $250 million to hard-wire middle schools for Internet

access received preliminary approval this week in Sacramento. The bill

still has a long way to go before becoming reality, but many educators

see it as the next step following the completion of the digital high

school program next year.

The digital high school program is designed to bring schools into the

21st century by providing $300 per student for Internet access and

advanced technology.

By next year, every high school wishing to apply to become a digital high

school should have done so, said Stephen Glyer, director of education

technology for the district. All Newport-Mesa high schools have already

been hard-wired or are well on their way to being so.

The next step for the state will be to implement the program for grades

seven and eight, he said. If the bill passes, district officials would

immediately ask the school board to declare their support of the middle

schools applying for the digital program, Glyer said.

“We welcome anything that would get more technology into the schools,”

said Dave Brooks, a school board member.

Next, it would be up to the individual schools to pursue the grants.

“I think we’d definitely look into it,” said Jeff Gall, vice principal of

TeWinkle Middle School. “It is the direction we’re trying to go and since

Estancia High School is already a digital high school, it would make

sense for the students to be prepared for it here.”

At Ensign Intermediate School, each classroom already has a computer with

Internet access, so it would take the opportunity to upgrade its systems,

said Principal Allan Mucerino.

Mike Fine, a Newport-Mesa assistant superintendent, said the district

will wait to see if Gov. Gray Davis makes the bill a top priority Monday

when he announces the May budget revisions.