Laptops were in fashion last night, replacing the usually large packets of paper agendas and documents at the Athens City School District meeting.
Electronically we created a Web site where we can post documents and agendas and we can update that data at any time
said Carl Martin, superintendent for the Athens City School District.
That form of electronic communication uses a messaging system to send board members copies of the agenda before the meeting. Martin said that while the district does not save millions of dollars, it does save some time and money on paper and personnel time. Martin did not have cost figures available at the meeting.
Board members are allowed to access the documents during the meeting by using laptops from the district's computer labs, Martin said. All future meetings will be done electronically.
Because the messaging system is internal, the district still will have to send paper copies of agendas and documents to the media and libraries, Martin said.
The district treasurers, Martin and his secretary, are the only ones who have the ability to create documents. In the future, Martin said he hopes to allow others outside of the district to access the online documents and agendas.
Athens City School Board President Bruce Nottke suggested the electronic system and the board had a demonstration at January's meeting. Last night was the first time the whole board was able to do an entire meeting electronically without any paper involved.
The system is not without a few bugs. Board member Catherine Cordingley said she still had some problems figuring out the message system and board member Scott Nisley said he was not receiving messages from the principals; one school administrator sent him an attachment that was corrupt.
Martin attributed part of the problem to technology. Some principals and their secretaries within the district are still using Windows 98 and are having trouble switching from Word Perfect to Microsoft Word.
We're in the early throws where I figure it will take a year for us to become completely paperless Nottke said.
17
Archives
Katy Ganz
