Schools sponsor technology forum

Kalispell Public Schools is hosting a community forum next week to discuss the use of technology in the classroom.

A panel of teachers and administrators will talk about technology integration in the classroom April 16 at 6 p.m. in the lecture hall at Flathead High School.

Speakers include Superintendent Darlene Schottle, Information Technology Director Richard Lawrence and teachers from the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Academy (in its first year at Glacier High School) and the Biomedical Academy, which will start up in the 2014-15 school year at Flathead High School.

After hearing from panel members, business leaders and community members are invited to ask questions and comment on the college and career readiness of recent graduates.

Feedback gathered will help inform future district technology choices and ensure that coursework and training are relevant.

“We feel this forum is a great first step in planning for the future of our graduates,” Schottle said. “With growing infrastructure and expanding programs, the continued integration of technology will put our students on the cutting edge of training and innovation.”

Later this month the district will ask voters to approve 10-year technology tax levies of $600,000 annually for the elementary district and $600,000 a year for the high school district.

Approximately 30,000 ballots will be mailed April 21 to voters in Kalispell and surrounding school districts.

They will be due back by May 6.

For more information on the forum, call (406) 751-3432.