By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Benicia’s school board trustees will conduct a public hearing and discussion of policies for students’ use of technology Thursday night during their regular meeting, including disclosure of proposed policies and an opportunity for the public to comment.

“We’re hoping that anybody that wants to weigh in on the student use of technology will do so,” Superintendent Janice Adams said Wednesday.

Among the changes, at the board’s suggestion Internet filters for Benicia Middle School and Benicia High School have been relaxed to make it easier for students to email their homework to teachers and themselves.

“This is a new age, and we need to talk about what’s appropriate for students at school and what isn’t,” Adams said. “Kids are learning in new and different ways, and I think it is new territory for all of us.

“Our kids are using technology 24/7 and we just need to address how it best works at school.”

The board will also discuss the agreement between the city of Benicia and the district over the joint use of facilities at the middle school, where the city has contracted with Crown Castle to put a cell phone tower.

The wireless infrastructure company currently pays a fee for use of the tower on the middle school’s athletic field. That money is split evenly between the city and the district.

Under an amendment to the agreement the city has already approved, 75 percent of the revenue from Crown would go to the city and 25 percent to the district, but the city would continue to maintain the athletic field.

The joint-use agreement and the tower were initially discussed by the board in early October, but approval of the agreement amendment was postponed because the safety of the tower had come into question.

“Our governing board wanted me to bring some information about safety levels, so I got some information from the vendors,” Adams said. “As far as long-term risk, there is really inconclusive data. There is no data that says (the towers) cause any problems.”

But the tower itself is not what the board will discuss, she said. The discussion will focus on use of the revenue from the agreement.

“The issue is not really whether we should or should not have cell phone towers,” Adams said.

In other business, Tim Rahill, the district’s chief business official, will present Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2012-13 budget and budget development calendar.

Rahill, along with Adams and Assistant Superintendent Michael Gardner, went to Sacramento on Tuesday to hear the governor’s budget proposal.

If You Go
The Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet in open session at 7 Thursday night in the district board room, 350 East K St. The public is invited to attend.

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