High-Tech Schools Network Receives $54 Million Nod Senate Insistence Overcomes Gop Criticism That Plan Is Vague

Fri., March 8, 1996

Tom Roeder Staff writer

Lawmakers shrugged off nagging questions about a high-tech communications network for schools Thursday and approved $54 million for the plan.

The money would buy or lease telephone transmission lines to connect colleges, universities and public schools throughout the state.

The goal is to increase access to the Internet and provide interactive television so students can take classes without going to the classroom.

The system is seen as a way to increase access to education without having to build more costly classrooms.

Critics say the plan is a compilation of university proposals that has no clear blueprint. They worry the state will pour millions into technology that may not deliver as expected.

House Republicans had insisted on spending $5 million to design the system before approving any more money. Senate Democrats wanted more.

Rep. Dale Foreman, House majority leader, said Republicans moved toward the plan when it became apparent the Senate would not accept a state supplemental budget without it.

“I have had reservations about this from the beginning,” said Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor. “We don’t have a proposal that shows us how we are going to go about building it.”

As a compromise, lawmakers created an eight-member committee of government officials and private industry representatives to review the proposed system before it is built.

“We were able to put a fence around it,” Foreman said. “No money will be released until the committee approves it.”

Sen. Valoria Loveland, D-Pasco, who chairs the Democratic caucus, said private industry’s help in designing the system assures costs will be controlled.

Legislators said they are particularly excited about using technology to expand access to learning.

That idea was pioneered by Washington State University, which conducts interactive television classes between Pullman and its branch campuses in Vancouver, the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

Geoff Gamble, a WSU vice provost, said the new system will help WSU expand its program.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to get this thing designed, but we are thrilled to have this opportunity,” Gamble said.

, DataTimes

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