“Every classroom needs a presentation station to move into the use of digital content,” she said.

Because student devices, like laptops, only last a few years, it doesn’t make sense to finance the costs over 30 years, Diaz said.

“But over and over, I have seen that technology in and of itself will not transform classroom instruction, only teachers can do that. And we’ll get to the devices — we are committed — just not from this revenue source.”

Diaz said she did not know of any funds earmarked for training.

“We will require technology providers to offer some basic professional development on the use of technologies they provide,” Diaz said.

STATE REQUIREMENTS

Meanwhile, most schools need more computers as the state requires students to use them to take many standardized tests, including the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. New high-schoolers have to take virtual courses to graduate. Teachers submit grades online. And under a recent state law, school districts have to move to all-digital instructional materials.

At Gables High, online classes and testing take up much of the school’s tech resources. The largest lab, with more than 50 computers, is used for virtual classes.

During testing season, Costa said, every computer — 536 in all — gets used. To make room for testing, students in online classes move from labs to the gym, where they work on laptops.

Karen Aronowitz, president of the United Teachers of Dade, said the “dirty secret” of classrooms is that students use old computers on a clogged network to write essays or take tests. If the computers crash on the network, students have to start over.

“For teachers, we’re expected to do everything online, even sign up for insurance benefits, but you can’t get through. It gets jammed,” she said.

Aronowitz said she supports the bond referendum because the goal is to put all students and teachers on an equal playing field.

“If some kids have instructors that are using SMART boards, and other kids have instructors that don’t have access to it, and we’re paying teachers on how well kids do — and kids thrive on technology — what are you doing to both teachers and students?”