Delighted with a surge of community support, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 has decided to more than double the number of community representatives on its new Board Advanced Technology Committee (BATC).  The BATC membership roster was announced at the December 10 Board of Education meeting.  The group will advise and alert the Board of Education about innovative technology issues. 

“The community response was overwhelming, with a total of 56 volunteers stepping forward to serve,” according to Superintendent Philip Bender, BATC co-chair.   “Such a strong reaction demonstrates the District 64 community’s keen interest in the future of technology as it relates to supporting student learning,” Dr. Bender added.

“The extensive pool of highly qualified volunteers with a wide variety of technical backgrounds made the selection process very challenging, even when we increased the number of community representatives from 5 to 12,” noted Director of Technology Terri Bresnahan, co-chair.  “The final roster provides a range of needed skills and ensures an equitable balance of parents with students at various grade levels and schools across District 64,” she stated.

As envisioned in District 64’s Strategic Plan, BATC’s more outward and global focus will help guide the future of technology in District 64 by researching best practices related to technology in education for the Board.  Innovations such as 1:1 laptop or iPad initiatives, e-textbooks, and online learning communities will likely be explored. 

In addition to 12 community members, 14 staff members and administrators will participate, and several other liaisons will serve as resources.  The BATC will be convened on January 10 and will report its finding to the Board on April 8.

Community members selected include current District 64 parents:  Scott Altman; Bill Basquin; Paul Brown; Carrie De La Cruz; Sara Greiner-Carolan; Kendra Griffin; Dave Iffland; David Langlands; Paul McCarthy; Doug Miller; Janice Oliva; and Tony Sivore.

Initial BATC members will serve through the 2013-14 school year.  BATC is expected to become a long-standing resource for the Board of Education similar to the ongoing work of the District 64 Community Finance Committee.