Levittown unveils 2015-16 initiatives
Technology enhancements and the creation of an outdoor science center are among the new initiatives being planned in the Levittown School District next year.
As the budget development process continues, Board of Education members and the public heard about these plans from administrators at the Feb. 4 meeting. Spending next year is expected to top $200 million, and the tax levy increase would be within the legal limit.
Todd Connell, director of computer and media services, said he wants to replace about 200 of the oldest desktop computers in the schools, as well as about 120 laptops.
One of the biggest initiatives he is planning is the creation of a one-to-one technology initiative for ninth-grade students. Under the proposal, the district would provide each child with a laptop, tablet or hybrid that they would use throughout the school day. A representative from the Microsoft Store in Huntington was on hand last week to show the board three models that could be considered.
Connell said he would like to fund the initiative from the technology budget, and in the future wants to expand it to more grades from Levittown’s Smart Schools allocation.
In November, New York voters approved a bond that allows the state to borrow up to $2 billion for technology upgrades and other enhancements in schools. Levittown is slated to receive $4.9 million.
Connell said it is unknown when Levittown would receive the money, and whether or not the district would get the funds up front or would be reimbursed for purchases. He did say that the district would be able to spend the money over several years, and would need to get approval from the state for its “investment plan.”
In the future, he would like to use the Smart Schools money to upgrade wireless Internet service at the elementary schools.
Officials are looking to create an outdoor science center at the Laurel Lane property in the north end of the district. The building on the site, a former elementary school, is currently rented out to a private school. The district would use the fields, a parcel of land about 550 feet long and 100 feet wide, to allow its students the ability to study nature. One of the plans would be to create a pond.
Facilities Director Christopher Milano said the total cost to build the outdoor science center would be about $200,000, and it would be modeled on a similar facility at the Sands Point Preserve.
The high school science curriculum will be redesigned. Currently, students take earth science in ninth grade, and living environment the year after. The plan is to switch the order. “We believe living environment is a course more students can find success at,” said Debbie Rifkin, assistant superintendent for instruction.
The hope, she said, is that more students could be accelerated and take a high-school level science course in eighth grade.
The Senior Experience is a new high school course in the works. During the first half of the year, students would learn job-related skills, and in the second half they would have to get work experience. Additional new course proposals include Advanced Placement physics II, studio in media, and civil engineering and architecture.
Levittown’s next budget meeting is set for Wednesday, March 4 when revenue and fund balance projections will be discussed.
