Derby Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway said money approved by the state bonding commission Friday will transform the way technology is used to teach students at Derby High School.
The commission approved giving Derby schools about $496,000 to purchase 400 laptops, eight interactive whiteboards and projectors, 23 mobile teacher desks, along with the redesign and renovation of several classrooms in the high school, among other technology-driven initiatives.
See the document below for a complete project breakdown (click here for a larger view).
Derby education officials are dubbing the emphasis on technology as a complete “high school redesign.”
“This project, coupled with the new curriculum and technology initiatives underway, will transform Derby High School into a 21st century learning environment and a model high school program designed for the individual learner that will exemplify what it means to truly bridge the digital divide,” Conway said in a prepared statement.
The money will allow the high school to introduce a digital curriculum to the high school’s freshman class, along with the equipment, software and technological infrastructure to make it happen.
Once upon a time kids went to computer labs in a building to access machines.
The 400 laptops means every student at the high school will have a laptop, changing the way kids learn in the classroom. They’ll also be hooked to wifi, and using online instruction — a goal of the Derby school board for many years now.
Derby schools were initially told the high school was too small to receive the investment, but Conway said he was able to convince Stephen Pryor, the state’s education commissioner, to consider the high school.
“Successful companies are not based on the size of an organization, but on the quality of the people who are leading the charge, and on the ground every minute of every day with their hearts, minds and sweat to make it happen and make it happen right. We have those people. We have that team,” Conway said.
The grant application was written by social studies teacher Nick Diluggo.
Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto said Conway has been aggressive about finding grant money to bolster education in Derby. The district has also received more than $1 million in “alliance district” funding, extra money from the state targeted toward under-performing districts.
State legislators representing Derby issued a press release welcoming the cash.
“There are several hundred students and parents at Derby High who are going to benefit from this infusion of state aid, which I am proud to say I voted for,” said state Senator Joe Crisco (D‑Woodbridge). “Half a million dollars will pay for a lot of repairs or new equipment, and it’s funding that local taxpayers don’t have to raise through their local property taxes.”
“Derby High School is truly in need of these infrastructure and technology upgrades, which will go a long way toward helping our young folks learn and compete,” Rep. Themis Klarides said. “The success of our students and educators is critical, and these improvements are money well spent.”
Yes, the document is small. Click here for a larger view.
