Otsego making high tech upgrade

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TONTOGANY – The Otsego School District is looking to increase its technological footprint in the
classroom.
At last week’s regular meeting, the board heard from Superintendent Adam Koch about a plan to use
permanent improvement monies garnered from the transfer of three former district elementary schools to
purchase laptop computers for use in the classroom.
Currently there are 210 Chrome Book laptop computers in use by students at the junior high and high
school buildings. The computers permit a variety of options for students and teachers in the classroom
and cost around $250 each.
With the receipt of more than $84,000 from the transfer of the Weston, Grand Rapids, and Haskins school
buildings, the district, Koch said, is interested in adding technological infrastructure, including
increasing the number of Chrome Book computers in use by students.
Koch said there is a possibility that, at some point, the district may even have a one-to-one program, in
which each student would have a computer for use.
There was a question, however, of whether the high school and junior high buildings’ Wi-Fi internet
systems would be able to handle a large number of computers online at once. Koch said that there would
have to be tests to see if the current Wi-Fi could handle the load. One such test was expected Friday,
when a large number of students were to gather and use the computers for scheduling online.
No action was taken on the matter.
The board also heard from Otsego Treasurer Dawn Jacobs. Jacobs stated that the Ohio Department of
Education recently released rankings of school districts for fiscal year 2013 based on education-based
expenditures. Otsego ranked 87th out of 202 schools.
“We’re really thrilled with those results,” she said.
Jacobs did note there was an apparent mistake in the ODE figures regarding Otsego’s enrollment – they
listed the number of students attending Otsego as higher than they actually are. Jacobs said she sent a
note to the ODE on the matter; as a result, the district’s ranking in the listing could potentially rise
even more.
In other business, the board:
• Recognized Otsego’s January Students of the Month: freshman Paige Hoffman; sophomore Brianna Snow;
junior Adeline Smith; and senior Sydney Davis.
• Heard an update on the Otsego Elementary School by Principal Betsey Murry.
• Went into executive session to discuss employment of personnel. No action was expected.

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