New Tech program will be expensive

It was a surprise, to say the least, to open the paper and see that the Taylor School Board had adopted the “New Tech” program. Our teachers union building representative was in the process of canvassing the feelings of the high school staff when the board took its vote. It would seem to be important for the board to consider the opinions of the people who will have to work within this new and extremely expensive program. It will be the teachers who will determine whether the program is a success or an expensive boondoggle.

Preliminary results show there are only four teachers on the staff supporting the program – a program that will cost $400,000 in consulting fees to the New Tech Corp. and up to $1 million for software, licensing fees for that software and equipment, particularly laptops for all students. Later, there will be the costs of software updates, equipment maintenance and additional technology staff.

There are twice as many teachers opposed than for the program. The biggest group, over half the teachers, indicated they are not sold on the program as presented by New Tech Corp. because of issues holding them back. If these teachers are added to the opposed, that means over $1 million with little support by the stakeholders.

There has been even less effort to involve middle and elementary teachers. The New Tech program in the high school has implications for the other three buildings’ budgets, salaries, teacher transfers and job security, in addition to such disproportionate spending on one building.

The New Tech Corp. has assured Taylor Schools the whole program will be free. It will be paid out of President Obama’s stimulus program, grants from Duke Energy and others. It is pleasant to believe that this kind of expense will not impact Taylor taxpayers, staff or students, but is it realistic to believe? Is our Kokomo economy strong enough to handle bills that will inevitably come up?

Most teachers like the technology that has been added over the years at Taylor. Training and assistance have paralleled the equipment. No teacher at Taylor is operating today the way he or she taught just five years ago, let alone 10. The issue is the program and expense of the New Tech Corp. and the way it is being pushed at Taylor.

Taylor patrons would be well-advised to attend board meetings and ask for specific answers to their questions.

Charles Short, Kokomo

Residents require public transportation

I am a resident of Open Arms Women’s Shelter of Kokomo. I am writing to express my concern for the town and Kokomo and public transportation. I feel this town is in serious need of public transportation.

Public transportation would greatly benefit many people here, including me and the other residents of Open Arms. It would also greatly benefit the low-income and no-income families of Kokomo.

With this economy in turmoil, expensive cab fare and high gas prices, public transportation would offer people without transportation a chance to get out and find employment. More employed people would help boost the economy.

I would like to thank Mayor Goodnight for considering all these needs so Kokomo and its people can have public transportation. God bless and happy holidays!

Tamara Huizer, Kokomo