School Tech Upgrades OK'd by Council

The city council approved a $3.3 million bond request Tuesday night to overhaul school technology district-wide.

The proposed upgrades include replacing computers that are as old as 12-year-old, install overhead projectors into classrooms, bring wireless access to schools and provide laptops available for use in classrooms.

The council approved the request for the bond submitted by the mayor without opposition Tuesday night.

Members of the schools' technology committee said after the vote that it was a huge step toward bringing Medford schools up to modern technology standards. It isn't quite as much as the technology committee, formed two years ago, orginially wanted, but the progress will be significant, said technology director Richard Trotta. The committee originally sought $4 million in upgrades.

"It's a giant step," Trotta said. "It's going to bring us into the 21st century."

For Allen Arena, the district's network administrator, the improvements are welcomed.

"It's going to be more to manage, but it's going to be more manageable," Arena said.

The city council approved the request by a 6-0 vote, with Fred Dello Russo absent. Councilor Robert Penta also called on the school committee to include a budget line going forward to address regular maintenance of school technology.

School Committee member Robert Skerry said he agreed maintenance will have to be a focus going forward.

"We made a mistake in neglicting technology maintenance for so long in favor of other things," Skerry said. "It's something this committee is going to have to address vigorously."