St. John - Endicott Cooperative School Districts
St. John School District No. 322
Endicott School District No. 308
Technology Plan Update

March 2003

Network and Telecommunication Plan
The voice and data networks have undergone great changes since the last Technology Plan. We are almost there. The last piece of the puzzle is improving the telephone system in the Endicott School.

The network will continue to evolve as the needs of staff and students grow. Each classroom has network connections, but not every computer. Over the next three years, we will connect all the computers in the buildings to the network. Additionally, the older switches and hubs will be replaced with newer models that will improve the performance within and to each building.

Annual training will be given to staff members to increase effective use the network. Training will center on how the network can improve productivity and how it can be used in the classroom. It will be used to improve recording keeping and allow teachers to tap resources that would not be available in textbooks, software, or other resources within the school.

The district will employ an individual to coordinate the training, maintain the network, and provide continuing support for staff and students. The support will allow staff to focus on educational uses of the network and workstations, rather than how to make it do something.

Staff Development Strategy
Increase teaching time by using management programs to streamline grades, attendance, lunch count, etc. Utilize report card programs, databases, and spreadsheets for management of student data. Prepare high quality teaching materials quickly.

Communication
Use electronic mail systems to communicate within the building and throughout the district. Use network access to link up with other educators on specific topics through electronic bulletin boards. Increase communication with parents by phone and through computer links.

Information
Access current information to supplement teaching resources with electronic sources and on-line services. Utilize quality software programs which allow teachers to more easily evaluate and present ideas.

Assessment
Evaluate individual work with reporting options available on software programs. Evaluate class progress with these options. Report student achievement to parents. Review portfolios of student work and writing saved on the network. Prepare written assessments of student progress report card programs.

Instruction Resources
Use a variety of multi-media materials to more effectively differentiate instruction to reach students with diverse learning styles. Plan individualized learning programs on assessment data. Increase student motivation with expanded multi-media resources for class work and assignments. Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively and actively.

Benchmarks and Timelines
The technology plan will be implemented with integrated district-wide and site-based delivery priorities. The first priority will be to establish a basic core of technology common to all buildings and work sites. We have come a long way since the last Technology Plan, but we still have a ways to go. The second priority will generate site-based delivery options to allow each location to address the unique mix of students and staff at the building.

Technology Assessment
An inventory was taken for both buildings and filed online at http://www.k12.wa.us/edtech/inventory.asp.

Basic Core of Technology
The purpose of this component is to provide a basic computer and telecommunications network that will allow for maximum communications, connecting rooms within the building, buildings within the district, as well as universal access to network resources throughout the state and the world. This component will consist of the following items.

Equipment and Software

1. Every building will be wired to the district's voice and data network standard, thereby allowing for access to the network from any classroom and/or workstation in the District.
2. Each classroom and workstation computer in every building will be connected to the network.
3. Each network computer will be equipped with management, communications, and application software.

K-20 Services

• Internet (World Wide Web)
• Intranet/Data Network
• Circuit Switched Video

Level of Connectivity
K-12 Bandwidth Threshold for K-12 Sector is single DS-1 for less than 499 workstations. This is a T-1 line. The K-20 Network will terminate at the school site with a CPE Router and IMUX. 10BaseT Ethernet is the network standard for the system. Video jacks will be connected though the K-20 Network and video switch and MCU. The two schools are 15-miles apart and are presently connected with six strands of fiber optics cable.

Maintenance and Upgrades
Based upon the application of technology by students and staff, upgrades will be made on an ongoing basis within the confines of the resources available. Maintenance will continue in the present fashion for the district. Minimal maintenance agreements on hardware will continue with a dollar rate for repairs. The district is responsible for pick-up and delivery. The district employs a part-time technology person for much of the repair work and upgrades. As warranties lapse over time, this will need to be reviewed.

Staff Development
Staff development will be ongoing and continuous. Students learn and grow at different rates and have different interests. This is also true for faculty and staff. The delivery of staff development will include:

• Traditional workshops
• Seminars and conferences
• On-site technology coordinators

Annually, a needs assessment for staff development will be conducted to help determine target areas and amounts of time to be devoted to training. All staff development is evaluated by participants at the conclusion of the training. Long-range effects, comments, or perceptions can be addressed through the annual needs assessment process.

2003-2006

• School technology team members will be trained annually to provide leadership and technical training.
• The district shall provide training and ongoing support for school-based technology plans.
• The district shall incorporate training for new curriculum with technology applications.

Timelines

2003-2004

• Add intra-building (Endicott) and intra-cooperative PBX phone systems.
• Replace all non-standards computers with standards computers.

2003-2006

• Improve remote access for students, staff, and parents.
• Change the High School over to a Windows-based computer network.
• Continue improving security and safety measures within the Cooperative.
• Increase technology-based curriculum available to students.

Long-Term Funding Strategy and Budget
The school district will commit 2.0% of its annual revenue to implement this technology plan over the next three years. This allocation is in addition to monies dedicated for the curriculum adoption process and present telecommunications use. During the 2002-2003 school year, the Board and administration shall review this practice and plan for the future.

In addition, the district shall: 1) pursue partnerships with businesses and private sector companies; and 2) apply for appropriate state, federal, and private grants.