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The Scoop

at City Hall

Mr. Bauck said District 112 is more like the districts to the east of us.

Councilmember Crowley expressed concerns about the District managing a new $2 million in technology every year, commenting on technology purchases currently available to students and parents at a cost savings but not being easily accessed.

Mr. Kothenbeutel said the District is working on that.

Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, "How do you control what kids are doing in class? Devices can be used at a counter purpose."

Said Mr. Bauck, "We have some instruction to do as to what's appropriate and inappropriate."

Said Mr. Kothenbeutel, "We've looked at other school districts and what they've done. There is a very long list of devices that kids can bring into school. There is filtering for kids access on wireless. There are ways for teachers to see what students are accessing. We want to teach the students that technology is for gathering information and learning, not just as a social tool."

Councilmember Roden commented that some students don't have access to technology at home.

Mr. Bauck said the District is looking at Community Education and partnering with others. "I don't have answers for those who don't have online access at home," he added. "We do need to know where families are at today."

Councilmember Roden, who noted that property values are directly related to successful school referendums, asked Mr. Bauck about his opinion as to whether the November referendum will be successful. "I think it will be an extremely close vote," he replied. "It's the nature of the beast at this time." He said that, in his career as a school superintendent, five out of eight referendums have passed.

Asked Councilmember Tom O'Connor, "What kind of devices do you mean to purchase?"

"We're not talking about buying the same type of devices for every student," replied Mr. Kothenbeutel. "We've looked at devices that are best for the students. In four years, that will change. The best device hasn't been invented yet."

Councilmember O'Connor suggested that spending $800,000 every year on student devices seems rather a large amount.

Stated Mr. Bauck, "You have to remember we have 9,000 students in the District. And we will be tapping into devices that students already have. We put as much together as we could without being extravagant."

Councilmember Tom Strigel asked about dollars spent on textbooks versus technology, and if more dollars spent on technology will mean a savings in other areas. Replied Mr. Bauck, "No one has made a complete review yet, if there's a savings. I don't have an answer to that."

"We may," said Mr. Kothenbeutel.

Stated Councilmember Strigel, "Technology is critical for the generations to come. I'm thinking we should look at trade-offs so that it's not always necessary to come to taxpayers."

Councilmember Crowley asked if the county is putting up a fiber optic ring to the schools also.

Replied Mr. Bauck, "We are already connected except for East Union Elementary. If the county line was online, we'd have a backup. The county hasn't decided what they're going to charge schools.

Mayor Mary thanked the District 112 people for their presentation, adding, "And thank you for the excellent partnership with us at the Victoria Recreation Center."

About their meetings with city councils throughout District 112, Mr. Bauck stated, "Our goal is to have an informed population."

ASSESSING THE AUBURN NEIGHBORHOOD

COSTS LOWERS ALL AROUND THAN ESTIMATED

Council held a public hearing on October 24th to review and adopt final assessment costs of the street, drainage, and utility improvements in the Auburn neighborhood of Victoria. Affected residents had received notice of actual costs and assessments. None were in attendance at the hearing, and none submitted written objections. As City Engineer Cara Geheren pointed out, final costs are less than the estimates. Total project cost was estimated at $1,253,000. Actual project came in at $1,111,200. Estimates of assessments were $12,852 for street and storm sewer and $7,132 for municipal water. Actual costs were $11,400 and $6,600, respectively, for a total of $18,000 or approximately $2,000 less per property owner than the estimates.

The engineer had estimated total city share at $854,000. Actual city share was $751,000. The city contributes 50% of street reconstruction costs.

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