Section 6 - Technology Solution Design and Action Plans


6.1 DETERMINE HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS AND ACTION PLAN


6.1.1 Hardware Action Plan
Hardware Action Steps Cost Year 1 Cost Year 2 Cost Year 3 3-Year Est. Total
Action Step: Provide three 30 computer fixed labs in each intermediate school and high school on a 4-year cycle.
Action: purchase
Level: middle school
Item: computer labs
Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
Leadership: Director of Technology
Primary: District Categorical Funds
Secondary: State Grants
Budget Code: 768
Est. Unit Cost: 1000
Budget Note:
Objectives:
Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.

    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Provide equitable and adequate equipment access and technical support at all buildings.

    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Provide all students with access to the Internet and all of its educational resources.
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $123000 $0 $240000 $363000
    Action Step: Provide one 16 laptop mobile lab for every 250 students on a 4-year cycle.
    Action: purchase
    Level: district-wide
    Item: computer labs
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 768
    Est. Unit Cost: 18000
    Budget Note:
    Objectives:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.

    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Provide equitable and adequate equipment access and technical support at all buildings.

    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Provide all students with access to the Internet and all of its educational resources.
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $140000 $220000 $0 $360000
    Action Step: Provide one computer in every classroom for attendance, grading, planning, lesson plans, research and e-mail.
    Action: purchase
    Level: district-wide
    Item: teacher workstations
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 768
    Est. Unit Cost: 1000
    Budget Note:
    Objectives:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Allow all employees to gather and share current and timely information for effective decision-making and increased efficiency at the school board, administration, school and classroom level using a knowledge management system.
  • Provide equitable and adequate equipment access and technical support at all buildings.

    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Enhance communication between all employees.
  • Enhance communication between parents and teachers.

    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Provide all staff with access from their computer to District forms, procedures, policies and any other vital information needed to do their jobs.
    		•  $67000 $108000 $86000 $261000
    Action Step: Provide one 30 computer fixed lab in each grade school on a 4-year cycle.
    Action: purchase
    Level: elementary school
    Item: computer labs
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 768
    Est. Unit Cost: 1000
    Budget Note:
    Objectives:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.

    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Provide equitable and adequate equipment access and technical support at all buildings.
  • Provide equitable and adequate equipment access and technical support at all buildings.

    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Provide all students with access to the Internet and all of its educational resources.
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $30000 $90000 $0 $120000

    6.2 DETERMINE NETWORK REQUIREMENTS AND ACTION PLAN


    6.2.1 Network Action Plan
    Network Action Steps Cost Year 1 Cost Year 2 Cost Year 3 3-Year Est. Total
    Action Step: Purchase the server to run student management system.
    Action: purchase
    Level: district-wide
    Item: network servers
    Start Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: Vendor Contributions
    Budget Code: 758
    Est. Unit Cost: 5000
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Link all District student systems to the same database to eliminate redundant data entering, outdated records and conflicting information.
    		• $0 $5000 $0 $5000
    Action Step: Purchase server to run knowledge management system.
    Action: purchase
    Level: district-wide
    Item: network servers
    Start Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: None
    Budget Code: 758
    Est. Unit Cost: 5000
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Allow all employees to gather and share current and timely information for effective decision-making and increased efficiency at the school board, administration, school and classroom level using a knowledge management system.
    		•  $0 $0 $5000 $5000
    Action Step: Replace 3 building servers per year on a 3-year cycle.
    Action: upgrade
    Level: district-wide
    Item: network servers
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 4
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: None
    Budget Code: 768
    Est. Unit Cost: 5000
    Budget Note: 3 servers per year X $5,000 each.
    Objective:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.
    		•  $15000 $15000 $15000 $45000
    Action Step: Replace existing Web/e-mail/proxy server.
    Action: replace
    Level: district-wide
    Item: communications servers
    Start Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 768
    Est. Unit Cost: 5000
    Budget Note:
    Objectives:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Provide all staff with access from their computer to District forms, procedures, policies and any other vital information needed to do their jobs.

    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Develop a comprehensive web site to communicate district information to all stakeholders.
  • Enhance communication between all employees.
  • Develop a comprehensive web site to communicate district information to all stakeholders.
  • Enhance communication between all employees.
  • Enhance communication between parents and teachers.
  • Provide all students with access to the Internet and all of its educational resources.
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $0 $5000 $0 $5000

    6.3 DETERMINE FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS AND ACTION PLAN


    6.3.1 Facilities Action Plan
    Facilities Action Steps Cost Year 1 Cost Year 2 Cost Year 3 3-Year Est. Total
    Action Step:
    Action:
    Level:
    Item:
    Start Date:
    End Date:
    Leadership:
    Primary:
    Secondary:
    Budget Code:
    Est. Unit Cost:
    Budget Note:
    Objectives:

    		•  $ $ $ $

    6.4 DETERMINE SOFTWARE REQUIRMENTS AND ACTION PLAN


    6.4.1 Software Action Plan
    Software Action Steps Cost Year 1 Cost Year 2 Cost Year 3 3-Year Est. Total
    Action Step: Acquire licenses to provide web based e-mail and listservs district wide.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: web management system
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Funds
    Budget Code: 618
    Est. Unit Cost: 5000
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Enhance communication between all employees.
    		•  $5000 $0 $0 $5000
    Action Step: Acquire license for student e-mail system.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: web management system
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Dir.Tech.
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: Federal Funds
    Budget Code: 758
    Est. Unit Cost: 7000
    Budget Note: Licenses will cover 5500 students.
    Objective:
    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $20000 $20000 $20000 $60000
    Action Step: Acquire a modern knowledge management system.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: decision support system
    Start Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 4
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: None
    Budget Code: 758
    Est. Unit Cost: 7000
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Allow all employees to gather and share current and timely information for effective decision-making and increased efficiency at the school board, administration, school and classroom level using a knowledge management system.
    		•  $0 $0 $7000 $7000
    Action Step: Allocate budget for instructional software.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: instructional software
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Dir.Tech., Instructional Technology Coordinator
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: Federal Grants
    Budget Code: 618
    Est. Unit Cost: 0
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.
    		•  $20000 $20000 $20000 $60000
    Action Step: Aquire web authoring software for all building level and department level authors.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: web management system
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Dir.Tech., ITC
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 618
    Est. Unit Cost: 62
    Budget Note: Approx. 85 authors.
    Objective:
    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Develop a comprehensive web site to communicate district information to all stakeholders.
    		•  $5270 $0 $0 $5270
    Action Step: Purchase a system that is Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) compliance.
    Action: aquire license
    Level: district-wide
    Item: student information system
    Start Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 2 - Quarter 1
    Leadership: Director of Technology
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: None
    Budget Code: 758
    Est. Unit Cost: 40000
    Budget Note:
    Objective:
    Administration and Management Objectives
  • Link all District student systems to the same database to eliminate redundant data entering, outdated records and conflicting information.
    		• $0 $40000 $0 $40000
    Action Step: Conduct annual evaluation of instructional software.
    Action: upgrade
    Level: district-wide
    Item: instructional software
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 3 - Quarter 4
    Leadership: ITC, Dir.Tech.
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: State Grants
    Budget Code: 999
    Est. Unit Cost: 0
    Budget Note: 80 hours @ $22(23)per
    Objective:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.
    		•  $1760 $1760 $1840 $5360
    Action Step: Investigate student e-mail systems.
    Action: upgrade
    Level: district-wide
    Item: instructional software
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 2
    End Date: Year 1 - Quarter 3
    Leadership: ITC, Dir.Tech.
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: None
    Budget Code: 999
    Est. Unit Cost: 0
    Budget Note: 1 week @ admin salary.
    Objective:
    Communication and Information Access Objectives
  • Provide all students in grades four and up with access to Email in accordance with the new PA State standards for technology.
    		•  $1190 $0 $0 $1190
    Action Step: Develop an instructional software evaluation rubric.
    Action: upgrade
    Level: district-wide
    Item: instructional software
    Start Date: Year 1 - Quarter 1
    End Date: Year 1 - Quarter 2
    Leadership: Assistant Superintendant ,ITC
    Primary: District Categorical Funds
    Secondary: Federal Grants
    Budget Code: 999
    Est. Unit Cost: 0
    Budget Note: 16hrs @ $22 per
    Objective:
    Curriculum and Learning Objectives
  • Utilize technology to enhance learning skills.
    		•  $352 $0 $0 $352

    6.5 ADDRESS SECURITY ISSUES


    6.5.1 Understanding Security Measures
    Technology security issues are currently addressed in several ways. Equipment security is assured by proper vigilance by staff during school hours and by proper building security after hours. Acceptable Use Policies for students and staff are in place and call for strict consequences for those improperly using school district data. In addition, all computer systems are protected by passwords, virus checkers and appropriate operating system patches.

    New technology initiatives will involve extending Internet access to all students. We currently only provide Internet accounts for grades 7-12. Also, we will look to extend uses of distance learning, increase the use of wireless devices, increase e-mail use between parents and teachers, provide access to student data for parents and provide e-mail access to students at grades four and up. In total, these initiatives will mean more data will be available and in different forms. To counter this our acceptable use policies will be strengthened, a distance learning policy will be drafted and we will audit all systems to be sure they are secure. In addition, proper facilities will be acquired for storage of all portable devices. Staff will be educated on proper security practices regarding these.


    6.6 TECHNOLOGY POLICIES AND ACQUISITION STRATEGIES


    6.6.1 Technology Policies
    The current policy setting process is similar to many school districts. A draft version of a new technology policy will be done by the Director of Technology with the input of any other vital stakeholders. The draft policy is posted for public review for 30 days and then is submitted to the School Board for approval. All technology policies are district based and the current process for approving policies works well. When approved, all policies are then posted on the district website and also kept in a binder in the administration building for public access. There are several new technology policies that we would like to see in the district.

    Revision of the current Acceptable Use Policy to enable students from 4th grade and up to have Internet and e-mail accounts.

    A comprehensive distance learning policy covering professional development activities using DL and high school course offerings using DL.

    Revision of the existing Acceptable Use Policy to cover use of wireless and portable computing devices.

    A policy to enforce review of all purchased software to ensure it is compatible with our curriculum and state standards.


    6.6.2 Procurement Procedures
    Current practice dictates that all technology related purchase orders go to the Director of Technology for approval before going to the Business Office. The district standardizes on hardware as much as possible to minimize the amount of hardware and vendors personnel have to deal with. We are not practicing any type of on-line procurement at this time. Most purchases are made through state contract awarded vendors and those that are not are bid competitively. The Director of Technology analyzes price, quality, past experience, trends and vendor reputation when approving purchases.

    The district should strive to lease computers instead of buying them.

    The district is now drafting a replacement cycle for instructional computers and takes advantage of economies of scale and should also do so for administrative computers in the near future.

    Procurement strategies will be communicated to district stakeholders through the website.


    6.6.3 Technology Acquisition Model
    The district will strive to provide the following for each grade school;

    One fixed lab of 30 computers, one computer for each teacher and one wireless laptop cart of 16 computers for each 250 students. Appropriate printing and AV devices will be provided as well.

    The district will strive to provide the following for each intermediate school;

    Three fixed labs of 30 computers each, one computer for each teacher and one wireless laptop cart of 16 computers for each 250 students. Appropriate printing and AV devices will be provided as well.

    The district will strive to provide the following for each high school;

    Five fixed labs of 30 computers each, one computer for each teacher and one wireless laptop cart of 16 computers for each 250 students. Appropriate printing and AV devices will be provided as well.

    The district should strive to replace it's computers every 4 years.

    The Director of Technology ensures that Total Cost of Ownership is taken into account when making these judgements.