A wise decision?

That school officials are considering buying laptop computers to replace some computers in the classroom raises questions.

Is this financially sound? Fragile laptops cost more than desktop computers. Drop one and it is probably broken. Would there be insurance if a laptop, subject to theft, is stolen?

 Is this wise from a security standpoint? Laptops can be used to scan or store pornography or other unsuitable material.

At a budget meeting Tuesday night, the County Board of Education got its first look at an initial draft of a proposed $5.6 million capital budget request for 2007-08, encompassing safety and accessibility, repairs and renovations and technology.

Under “technology,” the board is considering buying or leasing 768 computers for the first year of a technology upgrade, of which nearly half of are proposed to be laptops for students and teachers.

Cost of buying 768 computers is $933,716, or $1,195,836 when adding $50,340 for software and $211,781 for printers, projectors and a server. Cost of leasing would be about $350,143 for the first year, making that request $612,264 when factoring the other items.

Saying all schools will eventually be wireless, Dr. David Lenker, county school superintendent, said the board must be mindful the cost of technology would rise as more computers move into the replacement schedule.

“As our technology needs arise so do our uses,” said Joe Poletti, director of instructional technology. “There appears to be a movement toward laptops. We’re looking at wireless systems where students can bring their own laptops. We have the technology to make sure they don’t damage our system.”

Replying to board member David Carr’s concern about students bringing laptops with inappropriate material to school, Harry Smith, director of technical support, said there are ways to address that.

Board member Bill Blair said while allowing students to bring laptops may be fine, he wants to make sure all students have equal access to quality technology equipment.

“Probably 30% of our students don’t have laptops and aren’t able to access the latest technology. Our mission is to graduate all students as productive citizens. We need to make sure we have a program where every child who attends has access and isn’t put at a disadvantage,” he said.

These sentiments are laudable. Wireless buildings are desired as our up-to-date computers, coupled with adequate security. But at what cost?

We have no objection to giving laptops to teachers or creating a program that allows students to buy or lease a computer or pursing the gift of computers — desktop or laptop — from a corporation or philanthropist. But it is exorbitant to ask county taxpayers to provide laptops to students — high school and younger. A better resolution should be found.

Letters to the editor

Beaufort, N.C.

Feb. 1, 2007

TO THE EDITOR:

In both trading horses and trading land, there is always the “greater fool” who arrives last and pays more that anyone else. He often gets stuck holding the bag. Because the “greater fool” is out there somewhere, others pay too much hoping they can quickly unload their purchase on the next guy for fast profit. 

Carteret County has now seen the result of this kind of activity with the recent housing bubble of 2005 and early 2006. Prices for real estate skyrocketed in certain areas of the county, only to collapse. 

Unfortunately, the county’s real estate tax revaluation has now been released, and it is clear the housing bubble property values are now enshrined in the revaluation as “fact.” In areas that prices were over-hyped with “greater fools,” revaluations have reached absurd levels as my review of nearly 100 sample property revaluations revealed. 

The island, including Emerald Isle, Salter Path and Atlantic Beach, sound side Morehead City, downtown Beaufort, Harkers Island, and other areas were subject to this bubble market, which produced extraordinary, increases in tax valuations.  

For example, a sampling of Emerald Isle properties shows a tax valuation of 300% of the previous value. Soundfront Morehead City is now over 280% of the previous, with soundview lots increasing more than soundfront. 

A Harkers Island sample shows 284% revaluations. Downtown Beaufort has been revalued 285% with smaller homes away from the waterfront being hurt the most.  Most unfortunate were parts of Indian Beach/Salter Path with values going over 500%. 

The unfairness of this revaluation can be further illustrated with more details. Areas like the Country Club that are equally attractive, but have less frequent real estate resales, showed valuations averaging only 164% for waterfront property compared to 300%-500% in active market areas. Meanwhile, small, non-waterfront lots in Beaufort and Morehead City have higher valuations than many mainland soundfront properties. Cottages with no water views are now valued more than country estates. 

Valuations for land are so overblown that the price per acre for land in Beaufort on Broad and Ann Streets is $2 million per acre. It’s the same in Emerald Isle with non-waterfront lots valued at $1½ to $2 million per acre. Just for comparison, this exceeds tax valuations for an acre in the heart of downtown Raleigh! 

The collapse of the resort real estate market in Carteret County is proof these valuations are based on the last purchases of the “greater fools.” Many of them are now suffering from the recent declines in real estate values. That is bad news for the last one stuck holding the bag, but that is how the market works. However it is extremely unfair to punish long-term landowners in these areas with these foolishly based revaluations. It is time to revalue the revaluations.

FREDERICK McCUNE

 
Harkers Island , N.C.

Feb. 2, 2007

TO THE EDITOR:

With recent news reports of mold and mildew in some of Carteret County ’s public schools threatening the health of students and teachers, I acknowledge one school that is on the opposite end of the spectrum.

As a parent of a child that attends Harkers Island Elementary School (HIES), I can attest without any hesitation that HIES is immaculate! Throughout the entire building, regardless of whether you enter the cafeteria, classrooms, bathrooms, gym, etc., I challenge anyone to find a dusty corner, chipped paint, or an un-polished floor. 

I commend Mrs. Ann Chadwick and Mrs. Mae Yeoman for their dedication and commitment to maintaining this unsurpassed level of cleanliness. It is almost equivalent to that of an operating room. 

Historically, HIES has maintained a proven track record of academic excellence with documented testing scores second to none. One could possibly conclude that as a result of this facility’s environmental conditions it has only assisted in sustaining this high scholastic standard.

Mold and Mildew are words only found in HIES library books. HIES principal, Mrs. April Lilley, runs a “tight-ship”; however, it is unquestionable that Mrs. Chadwick and Mrs. Yeoman manage an extremely clean house! Their efforts are worthy of recognition.

RUSTY BROOKS,

Parent of a HIES child