Northgate is looking at using its final stimulus funds on a program that will “retrain” students’ brains so that they are better able to learn and process information.

Assistant to the superintendent Kathleen Gallagher said that the district has until June 30 to spend the remaining funds, which cannot be used to pay for current programs.

She and Ruth Strasser told the school board Monday evening that the computer-based program has been in existence for a number of years, but originally was rejected by educators here because it required students to spend 100 minutes per day in the program in order for it to have any effect. The time demand is now 30 minutes per day, they said, with results seen to last two to three years.

The program will be directed toward “at-risk” students in both elementary schools, i.e., those who score at or below the basic level on state exams, as well as students in grades 9-11 at the high school.