As part of SCUSD’s Tech Services’ technology refresh cycle, new TVs are in the process of being installed in Wilcox classrooms. The change was first proposed in March 2025, but the school did not start planning the implementation of the TVs until October 2025. The first TVs were installed on the first floor of the B-building over February break.
When asked about the motivation behind getting new TVs, Wilcox VP Ms. Rothstein explained that the tech department had to make a decision between fixing the old projectors or purchasing new devices, and ultimately thought getting new TVs was a better use of the budget. In addition, Ms. Rothstein points out that as the world advances in technology, projectors are being supported in fewer places, making it harder to upkeep them at school.
Both Ms. Rothstein and Mr. Daniel Callejas from the technology department view the installation of the TVs as an extensive project, as there are multiple groups of people involved. “IT is definitely involved…the administrators here are involved, our contractors that come and install those TVs are involved. Teachers are involved,” Callejas explained. His role is to “support teachers and support our contractors” by making sure that everyone is getting the help they need throughout the process. When asked about her part in the project, Ms. Rothstein said that she helps manage the process and is “the communicator between tech services and our staff.”
While this change may be uncomfortable at first, Callejas believes the TVs are better in the long run, and that “students and teachers will see the beauty of having a TV.” Ms. Rothstein specifies that having these new TVs provide a crisper picture. “The coloring of things is a more accurate depiction of the color that it’s supposed to be versus our projectors [where] often it’s a little skewed,” she explains. She is also seeing that students prefer and are taking advantage of the new technology, saying that “students are turning and gravitating to looking [at the TV] when they have both options.”
Overall, the Wilcox staff seem to have a positive outlook on the new TVs and are confident that they will enhance the classroom experience. However, certain staff have a different opinion. “I honestly think they’re not necessary,” Ms. Khurshudyan said, expressing her mixed thoughts on the update. “But at the same time, I really like technology, and I might actually find [the TV] useful when I have them in the classroom.” In terms of preparation, she does not mind making changes to her classroom layout. She also adds that she “talked to a couple of teachers, and they kind of have the same opinion.” Ms. Khurshudyan also notes that “it’s not necessary this year, since we have so many teachers being laid off.” She says that while the TVs likely have nothing to do with the layoffs themselves, “it kind of feels bad that some teachers are being laid off, and, oh, we have new TVs in your classroom.”
While there are challenges that come with this new update, Callejas strongly believes that “once people are adjusted and comfortable, they’ll definitely take advantage of the benefits of having a TV.” In terms of next steps, Callejas says that “we’re not going to take away their projectors right now. You know, we want to make sure that teachers are still able to comfortably and without too much trouble, continue to present on their projectors. The goal will be the TV eventually.” According to Ms. Rothstein, the project will continue in the R-building after completion in the B-building, and TVs will eventually be installed in all classrooms. The project has proven to be a “hill” in some areas as Callejas would describe it, and Wilcox is far from finished with the whole process. Nevertheless, Ms. Rothstein is confident, and reassures that “if anyone has questions through it, what I’ve let them know for our staff is that I am here and happy to do any support.”
