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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Testimony: Of Intel, K12, working out details and laptop concerns

Christina Hartman of Montpelier said, "We're very concerned about the mandate that would require our students to receive a mobile computing device and take six classes online." She said her school already is at risk of losing programs like auto tech, art and band due to budget cuts. "Will Intel and K12 keep our at-risk and disillusioned kids coming to school like shop class does now? I don't think so," she said.

Debra Infanger of Gooding, founder of North Valley Academy Charter School, not only signed up to testify in support of the Luna reform plan, she added an exclamation point to her X in that box. "All of my teachers gave up tenure to come to my school," she said. "We pay them more, we give them more flexibility, and they have embraced that opportunity." She said her charter school would lose $7,000 under the Luna plan, but she strongly supports it. "Something has to change," she said. "I would just urge you to pass it in its entirety, and we'll work out the details when they come."

Rhonda Wheelright of Rexburg, speaking against the plan, asked, "Is the student's family responsible for damages to students' laptops?" She expressed concerns about lost laptops; students who come to school with inappropriate images on the laptops; and more. "Education doesn't happen without teachers," she said. "If teachers aren't taken care of, I don't think that students are taken care of either."



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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