Mom: ‘Please don’t give my son a laptop, send that money to his school’

Karen Mahoney of Eagle told lawmakers, “I’m here to represent my sons. Mr. Luna’s plan is bad for students, bad for teachers and bad business for our state.” She said she’s been “an art mom, a room mom and a copy mom,” and she can’t imagine any parent wanting bigger classes. Parents want their kids to get more attention, she said. “My 8th grader is thrilled with the proposal to get a new laptop,” she said, so he can play games and use Facebook, “rather than have to ask my permission to use the family computer. … Please don’t give my son a laptop. Instead send that money to his school, where it’s desperately needed.”

Colby Gull, superintendent of the Challis School District, said, “On this proposal the superintendent hit the nail on the head. Students have a comfort zone with computers and with online learning, it’s adults who struggle with these things. … For two years education funding has dwindled and this is the only plan that offers something different.”