Technology Committee Meeting:

January 16

7:00 PM

Jr. High Library

Agenda/Minutes

1. Internet Filter – Keystone vs. ScreenDoor – Recommend which filtering device the district will be using next year.  ScreenDoor - $1,353.75, Keystone – about $480, NOT – Message from Rhonda!

N2H2 will be raising the price of their service through Keystone.  The price will be rising from $480 to around $4,000.  ScreenDoor pricing remains $1,353.  The committee felt the blocking offered by N2H2 to be superior to ScreenDoor.  Two votes were taken, first if price was not a consideration – N2H2 got unanimous approval.  Second vote; consider the price difference – N2H2 9, ScreenDoor 1.  Jerry will research the cost of a district owned N2H2 server and Keystone is trying to negotiate a better price.  The budget will place a high priority of the additional cost of filtering with N2H2.

2. Connectivity Grant – Wireless lab
   Feasibility of making East Elementary fully wireless accessible? 
   
   

Information on the effectiveness of wireless connectivity at East Elem was shared with the group.  Representatives from Apple and Avaya were in the district. Both had similar results, wireless technology will not give acceptable connection throughout the building.  The reason is the steel lockers and concrete construction throughout the building.  It was recommended staying with the original plan of a wireless hub (Air Port Base Station) on the cart of mobile computers.  The Air Port located in the room will not be affected by the building construction.  Laptop computers and equipment will be ordered ASAP.

3. Technology Focus for 2001 – 2002 school year
   a)         Computers for elementary classrooms – . . . and the survey says!
   The laptop vs. desktop debate was settled with the decision to purchase iMac (desktop) for elementary classrooms for the next school year.
   
   There was discussion of the need to make a complete transition to PC at the junior high.  Presently teachers aren’t using the student lab because it is not available the entire day.  This is due to the restructuring of the 8^th grade computer apps curriculum.  30 computers will be included in next year' budget to complete the transition at the jr. high.  The lack of room for a computer lab at the senior high is also a committee concern.  At present there is no lab at the senior high for student and/or classroom use.  Jerry will be include the price of mobile lab for the senior high as well.  Budget priorities were set.  Elementary classrooms have top priority.  Second, junior high total PC conversion.  Third, mobile computer lab for the senior high.  Brian emphasized the technology committee must include future growth as well as present computer replacement within the budget.
   
   b)         Wireless connectivity for elementary classrooms
   Discussed in agenda item #2
   c)         Software purchases which parallels textbook selection (Math)
   Software committee will be participating in text book selection with the math committee.  The committee will be under the guidance of Brian Winkel.
   d)         Staff development – Where we are at and where we should go . . . 
   Refer to agenda item #4
4. Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) Problems – Solutions and how it relates to staff development.

Brian Winkel discussed the results of the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) evaluation.  The evaluation found little evidence of technology integration in the curriculum.  The CSIP report also showed little demonstration of technology in the classroom.  Brian explained the information was included in the CSIP, but the evaluation team was unable to find the information.  He has taken steps to make the information clearer for the evaluation process.

He continued his discussion on CSIP and focused on the area of staff development.  The technology committee needs to be part of a district plan to find common areas of need in the area of staff development.  The importance of time and money to support staff development is important.  Teachers must have time for training and the refreshing skills if staff development is to be effective.

Staff survey is necessary to pinpoint areas of staff development.    Money needs to be included from the technology budget for such offerings.

5. Our present Internet policy is inadequate.  Discussion and approval of outline of revised policy.  Committee will decided on topics to be included

Because of the time, only two points were discussed.  Allene Gillespie suggested developing a policy for the inclusion of student work on the district web page.  Second, the committee is asked to look over the outline that is linked to the minutes.  Send suggestions to Jerry.  He will make the changes on the page for group viewing and further evaluation.  Linda Groe pointed to discrepancies in the school board policy on computer/Internet use.  The policy includes the use of electronic mail for students.  Presently students are denied the use of electronic mail.  Jerry and Allene will be working on a final copy for board approval.

 Check the progress of our computer/Internet policy.  Please send suggestions to Jerry.