LT. GOV. ROGER WILSON PLUGS TECHCORPS IN SCOTT CITY SCHOOLS

SCOTT CITY -- "Hey, who's that vice-president guy?"

The answer to the question oft-repeated by Scott City elementary school students was usually answered by Missouri Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson, the "vice-president" in question.

Wilson visited the school district to discuss its interest in TechCorps, a volunteer initiative that provides free technology assistance by professionals and retirees to schools. The district is one of the first in Missouri to apply for TechCorps assistance.

"TechCorps is a national grassroots-type organization that provides volunteers who will try to find technical assistance in our schools," said Wilson. "It's not a hard concept, but it's a great one."

Wilson said he supported the program because of its reliance on volunteers and because it would ease some financial strain for schools. As the year approaches, school districts are vying against businesses for professional expertise, he said. Usually, businesses are winning out because they are better able to pay for the assistance.

"It's the volunteer attribute that's put so much muscle in our society thus far," he said. "The pressure for technical expertise these days is something that's very expensive, something that's not readily available. Small schools often can't afford the costs associated with professional technological assistance.

"It's extremely important because teachers don't need frustration, they don't need downtime as they are trying to teach our kids."

There are currently 160 computers distributed between four computer labs and numerous classrooms in Scott City schools. Superintendent Roger Tatum said faculty member and technology coordinator Martha Nothdurft handles most of the staff support of the computers, but professional technicians charging $50 or more an hour are often needed to provide additional support services.

"If you have 160 computers, you'll never have all of them working at the same time," he said. "Vendors are usually needed to provide some technical services, and their charges can be quite expensive. TechCorps hopefully will provide some of the services for us."

During his visit Wilson also toured the elementary and high school facilities and walked through the middle school currently under construction. That facility, which will house sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, should be completed in late spring. Tatum said teachers and students will move into the building if it is completed in April.

"Hopefully it will be completed before mid-May, if not sooner," he said. "We already have new furniture ordered, and if it's completed ahead of schedule, like in April, we will probably go ahead and move in before the end of the semester."