Peters Township students want new computers
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McMURRAY – Peters Township High School senior Chase Maszle and sophomores Nate Doughty and Gregory Oleynik eventually will live and work in a world where technology plays a major role. And, as such, the trio would like to have the latest technology available during their educational years. That advanced technology is not available to students at the high school, the three told the school board during a meeting Monday.
Students, they said, are finding long reboot times and slow, antiquated computers that restrict students’ ability to learn and to work.
“This is becoming a huge issue,” Maszle said, citing the ages of some computers at 5 to 6 years or older. He said his personal computer, which he treats “well,” lasted only 3 1/2 years. Maszle presented a petition signed by 700 high school students requesting a four-year replacement plan to be implemented in the upcoming 2013-14 school budget.
He also told the board the computers do not perform well on virtual cloud servers.
Doughty said the high school uses more technology for education than any other district building, and that money is needed to upgrade and to expand. A 15-minute reboot takes too much time out of a 41-minute class, he told the board.
Availability is also a concern, as there is not a sufficient number of computers available in some classrooms.
“We’re not learning as much about new technology as the software is outdated,” Doughty said. And, he said, a lack of computers cuts into the online classes offered in the district.
Oleynik also is concerned about the need to update software.
“Students are being taught old skills,” he said, citing the need for updated Adobe Photoshop programs, among others.
The possibility of leasing equipment was discussed briefly.
The board took no action on including additional money in the upcoming budget talks, with members only saying the matter would be addressed during discussions regarding the technology budget. The board will discuss the final budget during an open meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 10.