SIMI VALLEY : School Computer Plan Considered

Simi Valley Unified School District officials are considering a multimillion-dollar plan to establish computer workstations for teachers and replace an antiquated computer system at district headquarters.

Funding for the project, totaling between $3.9 million and $4.5 million, would come from state funds, grants and community members, according to the plan presented Tuesday night to the school board. Officials estimate the new system will save $572,700 in energy costs in five years. Suggestions for updating computer technology throughout the district were compiled by a task force of teachers, principals, administrators, parents and community members.

The proposed changes include equipping each of the district’s 105 classrooms with a color monitor and a videocassette recorder, establishing elementary school computer writing laboratories in addition to a high school English and language arts computer laboratory, and dozens of computer workstations to be used by teachers. A technology coordinator also will be hired.

At district headquarters, officials are proposing to replace a 14-year-old mainframe computer system that handles files on students, personnel and finances.

School board members will consider approving the plan and funding at a meeting in December, Wolford said.