How to best use available funds to provide technology access in Austin ISD facilities was the focus of an AISD board dialogue Nov. 4.

AISD has about 43,000 devices including laptops and tablets, AISD Chief Performance Officer Bill Caritj told trustees. About 83 percent of the 2013 bond money for technology upgrades is allocated to campuses, but actual work using bonds from that election is on hold because the 2013 bond is still the subject of litigation by the Travis County Taxpayers Union, he said. In the meantime, AISD is looking at its options.

Access is one consideration, he said.

"Even if we give students devices to take home, we know that a large number of families do not have Internet access," he said.

The board did not take action, but trustees asked questions and advised the administration. Trustee Cheryl Bradley said she would like the district to research whether there are families without Internet access, rather than assuming that is the case.

Allowing children to use their own devices for class could save the district money, trustee Ann Teich said. Existing policy gives each campus the discretion of whether to allow students to use their own devices, said Jim Lax, AISD executive director for technology.

Caritj mentioned the district recently applied to get Google Fiber access in some schools, but it is uncertain where Google will add access.

Trustee Amber Elenz said she thinks AISD should identify long-term technology goals because that will help the district determine short-term decisions.

"I would hate to see us buying printers if our goal is to go paperless," she said.

Caritj said the district faces logistical challenges and only employs about 24 people to maintain technology devices districtwide.

Board President Vincent Torres suggested opening up opportunities for tech-savvy volunteers to troubleshoot and fix problems with technology. He also pointed out Akins High School has a certification program for seniors to repair computers as part of their Career and Technical Education training, noting that could be useful.

"When you think of the upsides [of technology]—the engagement of students, the helping of kids who are behind, adapted software and other specialized software for students with disabilities—there's so much potential for this over the next year. We're just getting started," Caritj said.