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School campaign needs 426 more computers By VICKI GUARINO The Medford School District's year-old, $1.8 million campaign to get two computers into every classroom might not meet its millennial deadline. But the "Project 2 X 2000" effort has gone a long way toward meeting its goal. Launched at the start of the school year last fall, the campaign sought to install two computers in every district classroom by 2000. Besides some 900 personal computers, the drive includes wiring, networking and software purchases. Hundreds of computers are up and running as a result, and 426 more computers are needed to complete the project, schools Superintendent Steve Wisely said Thursday. Wisely figures about $350,000 still needs to be raised to finish the project. That's probably too much money to collect by the project's original January 2000 goal, but not too much to expect to raise by the end of the school year, he said. Project 2 X 2000 is a joint effort of the school district, the district's private fund-raising Medford Schools Foundation and Medford television broadcasters to improve technology education for all Medford students. It greatly expands student access to computers. Students can hear historic speeches rather than read about them, turn their essays and stories into illustrated booklets, research worldwide and get lessons tailored to specific needs. Before the project began, students typically had been limited to sessions in school computer labs. Donations for the Project 2 X 2000 have ranged from private contributions of $25 and $50 to corporate gifts of $20,000 and more. The largest gift has been Bear Creek Corp.'s donations of $75,000 a year for three years. Several smaller fund-raising efforts also have fed 2 X 2000. For example, the project was completed in Ruch Elementary after Principal Janice Shade obtained a $5,000 gift from the local Rotary Club. Another boost came from computer chip maker Intel. The company offered a statewide challenge grant, making top-of-the-line computers available to schools for $165. Teachers qualified for the computers by submitting innovative teaching plans making use of computers. Project 2 X 2000 also has benefited from the falling prices for computers. When the project began, Medford administrators were budgeting $1,400 for each computer. The price has dropped to $809, Wisely said. At this point, Wisely said, he is looking for a few large, corporate contributors to complete the project. So far, he said, the project has been easy to sell. Only two companies have turned him down. "Almost everyone recognizes the value of having kids know how to use computers," Wisely said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA