Tim's Goree Details
Technology in Education
"If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - General Eric Shinseki
"If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - General Eric Shinseki
Real Name: Tim Goree Member Since: July 07, 2007 Last Signed In: May 02, 2008 Profile Views: 310 Blog Views: 842 So, What Format Is Your File In? Games Are More Important Than You Think Pirates Can Be Helpful The Idea Factory To Power Off, Or Not To Power Off, That Is The Question! Interruptions - The Best Part of My Day Cotton Mouth, Spilled Water, and Great Conversation Teaching Children How to Handle a Loaded Gun It's Good to be Robin Hood Podcasting in the Classroom July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 iJohnPederson 
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It's Good to be Robin Hood
I couldn't stand it anymore. After working for a year on my part (technology) of building the brand new Veterans Elementary School, I just had to know how my spending and purchasing for the new school compared with the Norris School District's other new school - Norris Elementary.
I wasn't working here for the construction of Norris Elementary School just 2-3 years ago, and Vetera  ns has been my first experience heading up technology operations during the building of a new school in my 17 year career. It was frustrating, exciting, and satisfying all at once.So, when purchasing slowed down recently at Veterans Elementary, I poured over the financial records from the construction of Norris Elementary and did my comparison. Survey SAYS.... Within the realm of technology spending, we spent 14% less on Veterans Elementary than we did on Norris Elementary. That is good, but here is the kicker: we spent over 300% more on technology in the classrooms at Veterans Elementary than we did on the classrooms at Norris Elementary! How did we do it? We robbed from the rich and gave to the poor - that's how. In this case, the rich would be those who believe that the costs of technology infrastructure should be astronomical as a rule. This philosophy is not acceptable to me. I did a lot of research, a lot of negotiating, and a whole lot of shaking my head and saying "that's just not going to cut it for the kids that will attend this school." At times I played hardball on behalf of the kids and teachers of this district, and walked away from comfortable deals and established relationships so that money could be saved and diverted to the classroom. While the experiences connected to these times were somewhat uncomfortable or even a little painful, I can say with certainty that at the end of the day (or the project), it's good to be Robin Hood. This doesn't minimize Norris Elementary School's stature at all. It is a fine school with an excellent setup. However, we wouldn't be doing our jobs properly if we didn't learn from past mistakes and improve on designs as we get opportunities to build again. Veterans Elementary is a great example of lessons learned and improvements put into practice. As a result, it is a beautiful school that the Norris School District management team is extremely proud of. 2 comments from 2 users
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posted by
delia
on Sep 20, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Tim, Thank you for looking out of what is best for our children, both now in in the future. The careful investment decisions you made will pay off not only where the budget shows now but in the learning advantage the children will have through out their time at Veteran's Elementary. Good job Robin Hood! posted by
terigo
on Sep 20, 2007 at 09:42 AM
You think it feels good to be Robin Hood.... Imagine how good it feels to be Robin's mom!! We're so proud of you & your work, and loved seeing it firsthand at Veterans! Congratulations on another job well done! Love, Mom
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