Organization ranks area school district third in small-school category

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ALEXANDRIA — Hanson School District ranks third in the nation among small schools in the seventh annual Digital School Districts Survey.

The recent survey, which was conducted by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Education and the National School Boards Association, recognizes exemplary school boards’ and districts’ use of technology to govern the district, communicate with students, parents and the community and improve district operations.

The top 10 rankings reflect school districts and boards with the fullest implementation of technology benchmarks in the evolution of digital education.

This is the second consecutive year Hanson has ranked in the top 10 for schools with less than 2,500 students, Hanson Superintendent Jim Bridge said. Last year, the school placed eighth. “It’s nice to be recognized,” he said. “We’re proud of what we have and we have accomplished.”

Hanson was one of two Midwest schools to place in its category, with Orange City School District in Ohio placing ninth. Fremont County School District No. 24 in Shoshoni, Wyo., came in 10th for small schools.

Cathilea Robinett, executive vice president of the Center for Digital Education in Folsom, Calif., said survey responses reflect how boards and districts are embracing digital technologies in their goals and strategic plans, resulting in improved services, skill sets and use of digital content in their curriculum and classrooms.

Anne Bryant, NSBA executive director, noted how districts have used technology, given rising expectations and shrinking resources.

“School boards across the country should look to these districts for ideas about using technology to make their work as a board more transparent and their district operations more efficient,” she said.

For Hanson, the district has invested heavily in technology.

Bridge said he thought the district has been recognized for its use of promethean boards — the latest version of interactive whiteboards — and distance learning.

Most classrooms have those boards.

“It’s just better technology. It’s more advanced and it probably has more options,” he said, comparing the boards to smartboards. “It’s a new tool and a better way to deliver information to kids, hold their attention, keep them engaged.”

Hanson has been using distance learning to offer Spanish classes and teach courses within its district at Millbrook Colony, a K-12 school, for several years, Bridge said.

He noted the district was part of the Distance Learning Consortium before the state began distributing free systems and used laptops before former Gov. Bill Janklow’s initiative.

“We’ve always prided ourselves in being somewhat near the front of that curve,” Bridge said.

While representatives from at least 10 schools have visited Hanson in the past six to eight years to learn about its technology, Hanson teachers have gleaned ideas from schools such as Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Wagner and Miller, Bridge said.

Hanson also has received $200,000 to $300,000 in grants for its industrial technology laboratory to purchase robotics, lasers and electronics equipment, he said.

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