Now that we have talked about a current program in the last issue, how about one that would cost relatively little and could benefit every school administrator, parent, teacher, student, and the Dept. of Education, as promised! Sounds like a tall order.
According to the newspapers, the Lottery Dept. deposited either $532 million or $700 million for education in 1989 (latest figures I could find). As usual, there is a little discrepancy about the actual amount. In that same time frame, according to The Florida Educational Guide, there were 1304 elementary schools, 367 middle schools, and 303 high schools. In January, 1991, it deposited $70,746,000. Remember this number, it will be significant later.
If you have been reading the previous Dinosaurs, then you undoubtedly got the message that one of the biggest problems facing parents, teachers, and school based administrators is the lack of availability of information and communication of information about students. I propose a solution, though extremely simplified, how this may be addressed at no expense if you consider that the Lottery a sunk fund. Use the lottery funds to buy administrative computers and software for each school in the state. If you read Dinosaurs #1, then it's a sure bet "I ain't talkin' about no minis!"
The minimum cost to computerize each school would be:
1989/90 # Schools Cost Expenditure
Elementary 1,304 $23,600 30,774,400
Middle 367 28,400 10,422,800
High Schools 303 94,400 28,603,200
Totals 1,974 $69,800,400
What do you know, the cost would be less than what the Lottery socked away in JUST ONE MONTH! Yeah, but what are we getting for our dollar? Scheduling (3,000 students / hour, standard year or year round, and up to one year in advance), attendance, guidance, health, gradebook, progress reports, report cards, discipline, demographics, library circulation and more. The breakdown is:
Elementary Schools:
Scheduling Mac IIci w/Color Pivot 8,700
Library Mac SE/30 2,200
Attendance Mac SE/30 w/BW Pivot 3,100
Printers 1Laser, 2 Laser LC 4,700
Modem Hayes 38.4 Kbaud 700
Software MacSchool Administrative 4,200
$23,600
Middle Schools
Scheduling Mac IIci w/Color Pivot 8,700
Library Mac SE/30 2,200
Attendance Mac SE/30 w/BW Pivot 3,100
Printers 1Laser, 2 Laser LCs 4,400
Modem Hayes 38.4 Kbaud 700
Server Mac IIci 4,000
Network Appletalk 1,100
Software MacSchool Administrative 4,200
$28,400
High Schools
Scheduling Mac IIci w/Color Pivot 8,700
Library Mac SE/30 2,200
Attendance Mac SE/30 w/BW Pivot 3,100
Printers 1Laser, 2 ImageWriters 4,400
Modem Hayes 38.4 Kbaud 700
Server Mac IIci w/210M 4,500
Network Ethernet - 30 Stations-4hubs 13,700
Software MacSchool, Works Net, Mail 8,500
Principal Mac SI, Laser, B/W Pivot 6,600
Teachers Mac LC & Laser LC (6) 18,000
Guidence Mac LC & laser LC (4) 12,000
Deans Mac LC & laser LC (4) 12,000
$94,400
Remember, this is a mimimum estimate. Here's what is not included: training for a start is the biggy, about $300/school; little things like surge protectors and screen savers; the cost of a phone line for communications; other trivia. A more realistic bottom line would be about $85-$100 million.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, 8/16/91, front page, the lottery has accumulated $2.639 billion for education. If you divided that by 2,100 schools and district offices, that comes to $1,209,000 per school and district after the administrative computer system was installed. What could your local school do with $1million dollars? Computer labs for the students? Language labs, playground equipment, swimming pools, satellite communications, in-classroom video equipment, new air conditioners, carpet, lockers, auditoriums, gymnasiums? The possibilities are endless. But where is the money?
The principals, teachers, and district staff that YOU hired are hopefully intelligent enough to know what their individual schools need. The state doesn't have a clue. Forget the grant BS and send the money TO the schools. That's what it was supposed to be all about isn't it? Helping THE schools? Not one or two schools where the legislator's kids go or even one school in each district! Its supposed to be for THE schools! Note that I divided the money by the number of schools and district offices, not students - can you guess why?
