Melrose Mayor's Blog: 'We Now Have Eight 21st Century Ready Schools'

Photo via the Melrose Mayor's Office.

MELROSE, MA—The Melrose Board of Aldermen approved a $1.5 million technology overhaul in October to help city hall, the police department, the fire department, the public works department, and all city schools; and the plan is starting to take shape.

According to the most recent post on the Mayor's blog, all eight of Melrose's public schools have seen a technology overhaul. The city installed 700 desktop computers, 300 wireless access points and deployed 1,100 Chromebooks.

According to the blog post, the school system was able to implement these changes without hiring outside staff, equaling a $225,000 cost savings. Schools have had ongoing technology training with its staff.

According to the National Math and Science Institute, technology can help students keep focused for longer periods of time, make students more excited to learn, enable students to learn at their own pace and prepare students for the future.

However, not all experts are convinced that technology is the best option for children in the classroom. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders and obesity.

Patch attempted to contact Mayor Robert Dolan as well as Melrose Chief Information Officer Jorge Pazos, both of whom were not immediately available for comment. Check back with Patch for comments from city officials.