ALISO VIEJO / LAGUNA NIGUEL : New Schools to Have High-Tech Teaching

Instead of chalk and erasers, hand-held remote controls linked to a high-tech network of computers, laser disk players and other equipment will be the teaching tools of the future at the planned Aliso Niguel High School and Aliso Viejo Middle School.

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees last week approved spending more than $671,000 to invest in a “cutting-edge” integrated information system at the schools, both of which are scheduled to open this fall for students in Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.

The schools would be the first in the state to utilize such a high-tech information network.

“It’s our plan to create a jewel not only for Orange County but for the entire state of California, as a school of the future,” Supt. James A. Fleming said.

The information systems will be planned and installed by Dynacom Inc./AEI Music Inc., an Indiana-based company that has developed similar systems for several Midwestern schools.

Much of the equipment, including laser disks, databases and CD-ROM/CD-interactive disks, will be stored in a central media center, eliminating the need to move sensitive equipment from room to room and the need to buy duplicate pieces of expensive equipment.

Teachers and students will be able to gain access to the materials by using remote-control units, similar to ones used for televisions, or portable keyboards.

The entire schools will be wired with fiber optic cabling, linking the classrooms to the media centers.

“This is a wonderful way to go,” said Trustee Annette B. Gude, who recently visited a school with a similar system. “It makes it accessible, where you can afford to have this equipment.”

Funds to pay for the systems will come from developers’ fees and tax funds collected from property owners through a special Mello-Roos tax district in the two communities.

Since the schools have yet to open, district officials said they will be looking to hire teachers and administrators who are more comfortable working with newer technologies. Use of the system will require extensive training.

“The tools of the teacher of the 21st Century will be far more than chalkboards,” Fleming said. “This will be a challenge.”