Merrick School District Adopts $43.3 Million Budget

At Tuesday's meeting of the Merrick School Board, the board adopted a budget of $43.3 million for the 2012-13 school year, an increase from the 2011-12 budget of $42.3 million.

In additon, it was announced that Nancy Kaplan and Susan Schwartz would both be seeking re-election to their seats on the board.

Although those items are both big news for the community, another subject stole the show at the meeting – the use and cost of technology being used in the district.

The board members questioned Eric Arlin, director of pupil services, about the cost of iPad applications as well as how many are currently being used in the classroom and how they are being used.

"I just want to have an overall feel of where we are going with these programs. A global picture regarding the use of the iPads," said Diane Seaman, a board member.

Arlin addressed her concerns and explained that the district has been using iPads in various ways to help children with special needs, as well as to boost differentiated teaching in the classrooms. He explained that there are three iPads in each building and five in the gateway program. The district is piloting programs with the speech and gateway classes, as well as piloting a program in the first grade classrooms.

"We are piloting the use of the iPad in several different ways. We are trying to increase achievements and we are using the iPad as a tool to accomplish that," said Arlin.

Arlin also added that not all of the apps being purchased are $1.99 or $5.99 and some apps created for school use are actually quite expensive.