ANDOVER - The School Committee will be seeking almost $400,000 at Town Meeting for new classroom computers.
Computer use in the schools has "grown exponentially" in the past few years, said Denise Holmes, principal at West Middle School. Charles Friel, principal at West Elementary School, agreed.
"They have gone from a novelty to a tool," Friel said. "It used to be, 'OK, today we are going to do computers.' But now they're integrated into the curriculum."
The School Committee is creating a warrant article for this spring's annual Town Meeting, asking for $399,000 for the computers.
The School Committee expects to have $453,000 available next year for its annual replacement of old technology. That replacement plan has fallen behind schedule in recent years, and the extra $399,000 would help to catch up, Chairman Anthony James said. The committee has not yet decided whether it will ask Town Meeting for the additional money or how to pay for it, he said.
Every school has at least one computer lab and a computer in every classroom. The middle schools and Andover High also offer specific computer classes. At West Middle, the course is called information technology, and students learn about databases, spreadsheets and other applications - skills they will need to have when they enter the job market, Holmes said.
"Virtually every position that our children are going to go into as adults is going to have a significant computer component," she said.
In their academic classes, students use computers mostly to do research on the Internet and for writing assignments. Over the years, Friel has seen students' writing improve because computers have eliminated the frustration that some children experience with handwriting.
"That's really been a great benefit for kids," he said.
Ray Tode, the district's technology director, did not return phone calls seeking comment.
