Lisbon students will connect with world

A vote by the Lisbon school board has launched the district's students into global education.

Board members this month unanimously approved the district's One-to-One computer program, guaranteeing a MacBook laptop computer for every sixth- through 12th-grade student next school year.

“Each student will be issued their very own Apple MacBook and teachers will deliver instruction using the computers as a resource,” Superintendent Brad Laures said.

For example, students studying Martin Luther King Jr. won't just read his “I Have a Dream” speech. With the computers, they can pull up video of King's delivery and perhaps contact individuals who heard the speech in person.

“It's really tapping into the instruction of kids and how they learn,” Laures said.

Board members approved a four-year lease agreement with Apple. The lease won't exceed $145,000 a year or $580,000 total.

The district will use statewide sales tax revenues to fund the initiative.

A total 350 MacBooks will be purchased. About 300 will go to students, and the rest will be used by teachers.

Laures said teachers will have two days of professional development training on the MacBooks at the end of the school year. They will take the computers home for the summer.

Students will undergo training before school starts and receive their computers at that time.

“We're very excited about the opportunity,” Laures said. “This type of tool is very powerful. In a small community, we're looking at providing a world-class education.”