THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 1995               TAG: 9504050498
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   37 lines

AREA SCHOOLS FIND UPGRADING COMPUTERS IS A COSTLY CONCERN

Hampton Roads schools are grappling with the issue of technology and how to train teachers to use it.

The problem is money. School districts lack private industries' resources to keep up with fast-moving technological advancements. Schools usually fall behind or settle for less than adequate equipment and training.

In Virginia Beach, for example, the School Board rejected an ambitious technology purchase plan in favor of a less expensive one.

The board has asked City Council to set a referendum asking voters to approve a $106 million bond issue to pay for computers and to upgrade schools to handle them. Some city officials say that's not enough to buy everything the school system needs and to pay for teacher training necessary to put new technology to good use.

Hampton Roads schools are grappling with the issue of technology and how to train teachers to use it.

The problem is money. School districts lack private industries' resources to keep up with fast-moving technological advancements. Schools usually fall behind or settle for less than adequate equipment and training.

In Virginia Beach, for example, the School Board rejected an ambitious technology purchase plan in favor of a less expensive one.

The board has asked City Council to set a referendum asking voters to approve a $106 million bond issue to pay for computers and to upgrade schools to handle them. Some city officials say that's not enough to buy everything the school system needs and to pay for teacher training necessary to put new technology to good use. by CNB