By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Digital Renaissance and was the topic of conversation Thursday morning as Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee gave the keynote address at the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce third quarter breakfast seminar.
Lee recapped, for those gathered at the city council chambers, the implementation of the program that launched at Baldwin County High School last week.
“Baldwin County schools are moving forward,” he said, explaining that some 1,200 BCHS students began receiving MacBook laptops for a computer-driven curriculum in the upcoming school year.
Lee said he anticipates the program to lower the drop-out rate and increase school enrollment.
“Kids are already coming back to Baldwin County High from private schools because they want to be there for this,” he said.
Lee said he believes that Digital Renaissance, which is ultimately planned for the entire school system, will better prepare fourth-12th grade students for employment in an increasingly computer-based job market. He expressed hope of keeping those students in Baldwin County to work in industries anticipated for the area.
“For every kid we keep in schools and get a diploma, that’s a benefit to Baldwin County,” he said.
Expressing support of Lee’s implementation of Digital Renaissance, Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery cited future employment opportunities, such as at the planned megasite.
“He is exactly on target for industries to come here,” she said.
