CALUMET TOWNSHIP | Lake Ridge Schools has chosen to embrace the New Tech High School concept and will initiate the program at the freshman level next fall.

The New Tech model focuses on small classes that allow more teacher interaction. It requires one computer per student and uses a project-based approach. While curriculum is based on state academic standards, project assignments span multiple subjects and use new technology skills, such as Web sites and multimedia presentations.

Since its inception in 1996 in Napa, Calif., the New Tech model now is used at 40 schools in nine states, including six in Indiana. The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis, in partnership with the New Technology Foundation in Napa, helps administer the programs in Indiana.

Lake Ridge school leaders met Thursday with Nancy Sutton, the school transformation liaison from the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning, and Paul Curtis, New Tech Network's assistant director of school development from Napa.

The group toured the high school, particularly the southwest corner where the guidance office and a handful of other classrooms will be converted to New Tech classrooms and computer labs.

Greg Keehn, president of Teachers Union Local 662, which represents teachers in Lake Ridge schools, said the union believes the district is moving too quickly and recommends that school leaders talk to teachers.

"We hadn't seen any fiscal plan about how we were going to pay for things. They tell us they have a plan now," Keehn said. "We hadn't seen any kind of plan."

Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley and Calumet High School Principal Tim Pivarnik said the process has not been quick or easy.

She said school officials have researched the New Tech concept for the last two years and believe it is the answer to turning around the failing high school. After implementing the New Tech concept at the freshman level next fall, they plan to expand it each year until the entire high school is involved.

The first phase calls for spending $1 million to renovate the high school building. So far, the district has about $300,000 in grant money and has applied for $1.9 million from the state's Common School Fund.

The district also is "aggressively seeking other funding" Johnson-Shirley said.

In response to questions from the community, Johnson-Shirley sent an informational letter to stakeholders to thoroughly explain the project, including responses to frequently asked questions.

Gary puts out feelers: Some Gary school officials have expressed interest in the New Tech High School model. Nancy Sutton and Paul Curtis attended the Gary School Board's curriculum/instruction and technology committee meeting Thursday to provide information about the concept.