PORT HUENEME : School Computer Lab to Be Upgraded

The Hueneme school board has hired an Agoura electronics firm to upgrade the computerized teaching laboratory at Larsen School, making it the most sophisticated of the learning labs in its nine elementary schools.

At its Monday night meeting, the board awarded Sota Electronics a $295,519 contract to improve the elementary school’s computerized learning center, known as the World Institute for Computer Assisted Teaching lab.

Don Cody, administrative assistant for the school district, said the improvements should be completed this fall. The cost of the computer upgrade will be picked up by funds from the state lottery.

Computer equipment at the 719-student Larsen School is the oldest of the district’s elementary schools, Cody said. The computer lab is slated for upgrade to a first-generation Smart Classroom, a watered-down version of the technology-based education labs operating at the district’s two junior high schools.

“Obviously our staff is excited,” Principal Cruz Earls said. “We don’t want to be just a computer lab. We want to go beyond to where we facilitate the children’s imagination.”

Cody said the district is scheduled to enter into an agreement immediately so Sota can get to work updating the 8-year-old computer equipment. The new lab will feature color monitors, faster software programs and a management system able to handle more students at one time while keeping track of their scores and lessons.