Committee Approves Funding for School Computers
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JACKSON, Tenn.–Jackson-Madison County Schools could soon get a technology upgrade. “We realize that technology changes,” said Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin. “Almost every month there’s a new technology. We want to stay competitive.” The Madison County Finance Committee approved $1,017,500 in funding for the district this week. “Public education is highly valuable to the success of any community,” said Gary Deaton, chairman of the financial management committee. Dr. Ruffin said the money will pay for computers at Northeast Middle School. “I think the technology allows you to be able to have those resources on hand without continuously having to replace a textbook,” she said. Last year commissioners denied the district more than $900,000 in funding that would have paid for new computers. “The reason we didn’t approve the budget last year, we didn’t see a plan,” said Deaton. “We just saw an expenditure that wasn’t going anywhere.” The full commission still has to approve the funding. Dr. Ruffin said she is cautiously optimistic. “Employers are looking for people that are technologically savvy as well as colleges,” said Dr. Ruffin. Six years from now, Dr. Ruffin hopes every student in the district will have a computer to use during the school day. Madison County commissioners meet again March 17.
