Highland School District classrooms to see interactive learning refresh with new SMART boards
By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • Highland School District will equip classrooms with new interactive boards this summer to continue energizing hands-on learning and boosting instructional quality.
The Highland School Board of Education approved purchasing 110 boards for $322,863 through the education fund at its May 4 rescheduled meeting. The purchase includes two warranties totaling seven years of coverage. The boards have a five- to seven-year life expectancy and replace existing, older boards.
All classrooms from kindergarten through fifth grade will receive a new board. Certain math and special education classes from sixth through 12th grade will also get one.
Director of Technology Jacob Cygan said four vendors presented information to about 60 educators, who then took a survey and voted on the best option. Of those surveyed, 58% chose a board type known as SMART Boards.
“The software is unmatched,” he said. “It’s more than a giant android screen. It’s tailored to the classroom.”
Classroom installation will begin this summer with help from high school interns. The company will also host training for educators sometime in the future.
SMART Boards interactive displays and software offer an audio-visual experience that encourages creative and collaborative learning in the classroom.
Superintendent Mike Sutton said the interactive boards act as the classroom centerpiece for learning.
“Teachers rely heavily on the boards. The ones we have are reaching the end of their life,” he said of the boards that are about seven to eight years old. “We are seeing many device failures across the district and it is a major inconvenience when it happens.”
The board approved the immediate purchase of the boards to prevent further disruptions, following Sutton’s recommendation after earlier discussions about whether to buy them all at once or gradually.
The next Highland School District Board of Education meeting is May 18 at 6 p.m. at the district’s headquarters at 400 Broadway.
