Last week the Surry County Commissioners got their hands on technology that could transform the way students in the county learn.

The superintendents of the Mount Airy City Schools and Elkin City Schools were at the commissioners meeting to present their new technology initiatives.

Dr. Darren Hartness, Mount Airy City Schools superintendent, had iPod Touches with him to help the commissioners better understand Project iLearn. Through this project, Mount Airy City Schools hopes to purchase iPod Touches for teachers and students in fifth through ninth grades. These iPods will allow students to access numerous free learning applications, which include everything from graphing calculators to art history quizzes.

“We have to teach our students to be 21st century workers ... We need to bridge the gap between how students live and how they learn,” Hartness told the board.

Hartness let the board members try out the iPods to see how they work. The commissioners liked the iPods and joked about keeping them.

The school system is asking the board to consider a yearly allocation of $70,000 to support instructional technologies. The commissioners said they would discuss that at their upcoming planning retreat.

Commissioner Jimmy Miller said, “We’re really happy that you’re doing something like this.”

Commissioner Jim Harrell Jr. agreed. He said, “I’m impressed.”

Next, Dr. Randy Bledsoe, Elkin City Schools superintendent, presented his school system’s technology plan. Elkin wants to purchase 240 netbooks for use in classrooms for grades six through 12. A netbook is like a small laptop.

“What we need is more access to technologies,” said Bledsoe.

The cost of 240 computers and additional components would be $122,900 if purchased or $46,000 a year if leased. This would be paid for through a combination of state and local funds.

“This is only the beginning of the improvement of our technologies,” Bledsoe remarked.

Harrell said, “I applaud both systems. It’s interesting that they came up with different solutions. I’d like to see us do everything we can to help implement these things.”

The commissioners also will discuss Elkin’s project during their planning retreat on Feb. 19. Board Chairman Paul Johnson said, “Both of the proposals were very economical and impressive.”

Last year the commissioners approved funds for a technology project for Surry County Schools. The system then issued laptops to seventh-graders.

In addition to school topics, the county commissioners took action on other agenda items during the meeting.

n The commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing for economic development incentives for their meeting on March 1 or 15. Johnson said the incentives would be for an unnamed existing company looking to expand in the county. The incentives would include the county running water and sewer lines out to the business, which is located in the Elkin area.

n The board approved providing up to $42,000 for the recertification of one or more sites at Piedmont Triad West. Certification prepares the site for speed to market and lessons risks.

n David Swann, Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare area director, gave his mid-year report to the board. He said the agency’s budget is $5 million less than last year, which has resulted in the loss of some services. Swann said the state also is making a push for local management entities such as Crossroads to consolidate its service provider organizations. Crossroads still has more than 100 providers at this time.

n The commissioners approved the budget calendar for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The first budget work session will be held in April.

n Don Mitchell reported that on Monday morning water leaked into the Human Services Building and part of the historic courthouse in Dobson. The leaks caused almost $15,000 in damage. The incident occurred after water froze in the gutters and backed up into the building.

n A Surry County Energy Plan was approved. This will be submitted with a $200,000 grant application for stimulus funds to help pay for projects to save energy in county buildings.

n The board approved the public works department to purchase two more recycling containers for plastics recycling. These will cost $9,500.

n The commissioners created a finance committee to meet quarterly to discuss the county’s budget.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.