In last week's My Turn, Mr. Larson expressed several questions regarding Senate Bill 1184 of the Students First legislation. There still remains many unanswered questions at this point, but I would like to share some of the information the district has received so patrons, parents, staff, and students can begin to build an understanding of the intent and guidelines provided in this ground-breaking legislation.

Much guidance will be provided via a statewide task force that Superintendent Tom Luna is convening. The 28-member task force has a broad representation of stakeholders whose purpose will be to study and develop plans for the implementation of the one-to-one mobile computing devices and online courses. The state department accepted nominations and applications until Friday, May 13. The members of the task force will be announced by the end of May with the first meeting in June. The task force will report its findings, plans and recommendations to the House and Senate Education Committees no later than Jan. 31, 2012.

Several questions were asked regarding procurement - who is responsible for the purchasing process of these computers, what types of devices and who is expected to furnish maintenance, repair or replacement?

The Task Force will define the details. It has been stated that in order to leverage the best pricing on the mobile electronic devices, a statewide contract would be beneficial. The state will pay for the repair, maintenance, security, and support of the devices, from the overall budget determined by the Legislature. The intent here is that the contract will include an extended warranty and support for the device. However, the legislation does not include funding for any district technical support positions.

What is the state budgeted amount for the purchase/maintenance/software of the laptops?

Beginning in the fall of 2012/2013, $3 million will be allocated across the state for mobile electronic devices for high school teachers. The first wave of student mobile electronic devices is scheduled for the fall of the 2013/2014 school year provided through an $11 million funding allocation to all schools across the state followed by $14 million the following year.

Does the bill contain any information/guidance relating to its effective usage?

The original version of the legislation was to provide devices for ninth-grade students beginning in the fall of 2012. The final version of the bill provides high school teachers with mobile computing devices first in the rollout. It then provides one-third of high school students access to mobile computing devices beginning with the 2013/2014 school year until all students have access to such devices by 2015/2016. The local school district will make the determination which students will receive the devices first and whether students will be able to take them home.

The task force will provide guidance for effective usage and the local school district will determine how students utilize the devices. In regards to keyboarding, the Coeur d'Alene School District does have a keyboarding requirement that all students must meet. Students practice keyboarding at both the elementary and middle school levels. If a student does not meet the standard, he/she is required to take keyboarding at the high school level.

Since this tool is to enhance the education of the students, have you considered how the students will be able to print out their work for submission to the instructor?

Although there will most likely be some level of printing required, the intent is to transition to a paperless environment with students submitting assignments electronically, providing a savings in paper and in printing costs. There are several classrooms in the Coeur d'Alene School District that currently have some degree of a paperless environment.

We will continue to ask more questions as we enter the uncharted territory of this new legislation. Yes, Mr. Larsen, we too are seeking answers to implementation and will work to keep citizens in the loop on what we uncover and our determinations. Thank you.

Jean Bengfort is director of technology for the Coeur d'Alene School District.