Technology Plan 2010-13 Implementing up-to-date technology for our

students, teachers and staff for instruction and improved school support services.

WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ● 47-49 STOCKTON AVENUE, WALTON, NEW YORK 13856

Acknowledgments Walton Central School District Technology Planning Committee Members

Name TitleMr. Thomas Austin Superintendent of Schools

Mrs. Krislynn Dengler High School Principal

Mr. Michael MacDonald Middle School Principal

Mr. Michael Snider Elementary School Principal

Mrs. Diane Meredith District Curriculum Coordinator

Mr. Tim McNerney District Technology Coordinator

Mrs. Patricia Loker Business Manager

Ms. Jean Miesel Elementary School Teacher

Mrs. Gayla MacGibbon Network Administrator

Mrs. Cindy Bakker Network Technician

Mr. Dustin Purdy Middle School

Mrs. Brynne Daye Middle School

Mark Lamoreaux Dean of Students

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Technology Plan 2010-13

INTRODUCTION

Information & Instructional Technologies are in place throughout our district to support all aspects of our educational and support programs.

SCHOOL YEAR 2009-10 TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION STATUS District-wide Infrastructure

◦ 2Gb + Switching Infrastructure with 10Gb school-to-school fiber link◦ 1Gb Broadband Connection◦ Wireless network access in all public areas and Computer Labs◦ Centralized Network Operations Center◦ Internet Firewall/Content Filter Edge Appliance◦ Email Spam/Virus Firewall◦ Nightly File-by-File Backup and Off-site storage of critical data

Server/Application Capacity◦ Network Data/Storage Accounts for all staff and students◦ District-wide web-based CompassLearning Odyssey Student Learning◦ Sony Virtuoso Digital Language Lab with SANSSpace Web Access◦ Networked CAD/CAM, Keyboarding and other instructional software◦ PowerSchool Student Management System with integrated Teacher

Gradebook and Parent Portal via Internet◦ Finance Manager school financial for all AP, AR, Payroll and HR

functions◦ GroupWise Collaborative Email/Calendaring with Postini services Mail

Security and Discovery (Archiving)◦ Google Apps Collaborative accounts for all staff and students

Distance Learning/Videoconferencing◦ Dedicated Distance Learning Classroom with college-credit and

additional academic classes◦ Mobile VC cart for virtual field trips◦ G-Apps based VC for Board of Education Members

Classroom & Learning Centers◦ Multi-media classroom configurations (Smartboard, Instructor PC,

Digital Projector) in all core classrooms.◦ Five dedicated computer labs, two laptop mobile labs and computer

access areas in both Library Media Centers Professional Development

◦ .25 FTE Technology Integration Trainer on staff in SY 2009-10◦ Peer Smart Technology trainers trained and in place◦ Faculty Surveys on Technology Use◦ Peer implementation of Google Apps collaborative tools

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AS WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Infrastructure Improvements

◦ Network Operations Consolidation◦ Security Enhancements for Student Safety◦ Full implementation of Google Postini Email services for staff

Regional Support ◦ Transition to a suite of regional IT support providers, including our

Regional Information Center, area Boards of Cooperative Educational Services and other area resources as required.

◦ Expansion of web-based services from regionally hosted sites including School Library services

Grant Opportunities◦ RUS Grant for distance learning and videoconferencing◦ Professional development funding for teacher improvement

Professional Development ◦ Web page training for creation of teacher pages◦ Distance Learning and videoconference curriculum integration◦ Data analysis and mining training in student management systems

Classroom Updates◦ Apple Macintosh desktop and handheld integration into applicable

classes◦ Additional multi-media capabilities in classrooms and meeting spaces◦ Improved availability of mobile laptop technology in the district

IN SUMMARY

The Walton Central School District is using information technology for:

Student Learning

Facilities Control and Management

School District Finance

Staff Development

Student Information Management

Student Achievement and Assessment

Community Outreach

Distance Learning & Videoconferencing

Internet-based Collaboration and Document Creation

Our plan includes the on-going, systematic upgrade of our comprehensive information technology infrastructure to unify all technology resources in the district, extend more services to browser-based Internet access and provided students with the necessary skills to compete in a technological world.

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Section One

WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Mission:Teaching, Learning, Caring, and Growing . . . Together.

Vision:The Walton Central School District strives to maintain an environment that sets high academic standards; requires quality performance; and fosters mutual cooperation, emotional support, and personal growth.

Belief Statements:♦ We care for each other by nurturing, supporting, and respecting the worth

and dignity of all.♦ We commit to giving our personal best.♦ We cooperate and collaborate to further our growth as a learning

community.♦ We center all decision making around our students.♦ We commit to continuous academic improvement and using data

appropriately.♦ We celebrate quality performance.

Vision Statement For Technology:WE ENVISION THAT TECHNOLOGY WILL ENABLE WALTON CENTRAL:

• to have students and staff competently use a wide variety of technologies to improve student achievement and to accommodate a wide variety of learning styles

• to gain access to resources beyond the school

• to provide our students and staff with equitable access to the learning resources of the world

• to implement a student-centered, hands-on learning environment

• to improve curriculum development

• to provide the staff with the training and support needed to make the vision a reality

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The Technology Committee is continuing the on-going develop-ment of a vision for technology in Walton by extending the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Conclusion

While updating its vision for technology, the committee references the district's vision for learning. Technology is linked appropriately to core values of educational reform within the district. Those values include:

• establishing purpose and direction• developing a learning community• providing learning opportunities• documenting results

Emphasis is given to creating a technology-rich environment for all students, not merely matching a few software applications with a few instructional objectives.

The committee continues to focus on developing a technology-rich environment that will foster and encourage each discipline to include technology in all its instructional objectives and skills. The vision describes an ideal environment, one that will surely motivate Walton Central School students to achieve.

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Section TwoProfessional DevelopmentThe Professional Development component of the Walton Central School District’s Technology Plan (2010-2013) is based on the ISTE NETS·T (International Society for Technology in Education’s National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers).

The template provides for the District Technology Committee to focus its efforts and direction on the identified gaps between the current state and the desired state and to create a plan to address those gaps.

In 2009-10, the Walton CSD Technology Committee developed and distributed a needs assessment survey for teachers (Appendix A). The results of that survey provide the first quantitative and qualitative data for review and analysis in the fall of 2010. Based on that data, the Committee will identify areas of priority focus and begin to develop the action steps. Progress toward completing the action steps will be monitored semi-annually; the Committee may, at any time, determine to revise the action steps to keep the Technology Plan relevant to the district’s needs. As Mike Schmoker, author of The Results Fieldbook: Practical Strategies from Dramatically Improved Schools (Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2001) asserts, “[Improvement planning] is not about why we can’t or why we didn’t; it’s about how we can.”

Appendix A: Technology Integration/Usage – Self Evaluation Surveys

Appendix B: Faculty Technology Handbook Outline

Appendix C: ISTE PD Planning Component

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Section ThreeOn-Going Technology ProjectsThe network system at Walton Central School is constantly being improved to meet the technology initiatives and on-going projects interwoven into the very fabric of instructional activities and the day-to-day management of the school system. In 2010-13, we will continue a series of longterm projects to meet our instructional and administrative goals.

Appendix D: NOC Consolidation Initiative

Appendix E: Cloud-Based Collaboration and Archiving Initiative

Appendix F: Distance Learning and Videoconference Initiative

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Section FourPersonnelThe Walton Central School District places continued emphasis on providing a professional, trained on-site staff to support the expanding scope of instructional and information technology use. The following table provides a role overview of District Technology Support Personne l.

Goal Personnel Result/EvaluationRespond quickly to day-to-day computer issues.

The Townsend Elementary and Mack Middle School Lab Aides are first responders.

School Dude Request1 – Problem is resolved or,2 – Issue is referred to the District Technology Office

Implementation of new computers or other instructional technology

Cindy Bakker and/or Gayla MacGibbonBuilding & Grounds

Regular updating of equipment and facilities (labs, etc.) as scheduled and needed.

On-going, scheduled updating of data protection safeguards (i.e. antivirus, e-mail spam/virus firewall, backups, deep freeze and zenworks)

Cindy BakkerGayla MacGibbonTim McNerneyBOCES Support

Data is secure, protected and backed upSecurity controls protect hardware/software environment throughout the school district

Maintaining applications software: PowerSchool, CL Odyssey, Finance Manager, SNAP, GroupWise, Sony Virtuoso Digital Media

Gayla MacGibbonTim McNerneyBOCES Support

24/7 access to applications is maintained

Distance Learning & Videoconferencing

Cindy BakkerGayla MacGibbonMarji WarnerTim McNerneyBOCES Support

Successful day-to-day use of DL for scheduled courses and electronic field trips

Direct Student Support – File Management, Access to outside resources, specialized printing and assistance with login account issues. Clubs.

Cindy BakkerGayla MacGibbon

Daily on an on-call basis.

Equipment repair and software maintenance

Cindy BakkerGayla MacGibbonTim McNerneyBOCES SupportThird-Party Vendor Support

Ongoing with specific upgrades as needed or as required.

Inventory Control and Decommissioning/Disposal of Computer Equipment

Cindy BakkerCentral Office StaffBuilding & Grounds

New equipment is tagged, inventoried and out-of-date equipment is removed from service, presented to BOE for surplusing

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Goal Personnel Result/EvaluationPresentation Assistance, BOE Meeting Preparation

Cindy BakkerGayla MacGibbonTim McNerney

As needed and scheduled by district calendar

Web-based Communications (SchoolCenter, PS Daily Bulletin, PS Parent Portal)

Gayla MacGibbonTim McNerneyBOCES Support

Web accessible information is maintained in an up-to-date manner

Network System Management and Integration of Technology

Tim McNerneyGayla MacGibbonCindy BakkerBOCES Support

District servers are maintained and upgraded as part of an on-going replacement program. User account information is monitored and maintained. New technology initiatives are incorporated into the district-wide network resources.

Student Data Information Management

Gayla MacGibbon, Data ManagerTim McNerney, CIOCSE Chair and OfficeBOCES Support

NYS SED data warehouse requirements are met in timely manner according to required state guidelines.

Audiovisual

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Section FiveStaff Development & TrainingStaff members receive training and support in their use of technology through a number of ongoing processes:

New Staff: receive training in the use of district technology during summer orientation. The training approach is hands-on in one of the school’s Computer Labs. The Technology Department staff, including the District Technology Coordinator, Network Administrator, and Staff Development Trainer conduct the workshops. The training session covers:

- Logging on to the network

- Accessing the Internet

- Using the e-mail system (GroupWise)

- Using network user folder for data storage

- Requesting technical assistance and training

- Using the Student Management System

- School Dude for maintenance work orders/tech work orders

- Clear Track if applicable

Returning Staff: will receive training as needed throughout the year. The training will be hands-on in the tech office or in a computer lab with the Technology Department staff, including the District Technology Coordinator, Network Administrator, and/or Staff Development Trainer. The training sessions cover:

Keeping Teacher Web Pages Up-to-Date

Refresher on network login, e-mail and user storage

Update on collaborative website changes (Google Docs)

Requesting technical assistance for equipment and software problems

School Dude refresher

BudgetPro (Budgeting Software)

Office Suite techniques (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Collaborative website use (Google Apps)

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Web page development

Creating webquests

Use of Kindle or iPad

Use of Scanner

Use of Airliner

Use of Smartboards

Use of Distance Learning Classroom

Compass Learning

Training for staff is made available during conference days and as part of on going in-service during the summer.

BOCES Services:

- Model Schools Course Offerings

- Learning Technology Grant

- Professional Development Course Offerings

- Model Schools and Technology Coordinator Services

- Regional Computer Center Workshops

Classroom technology use continues to be evaluated within the standard teacher evaluations.

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Section SixTechnology FundingThe Walton Central School District supports the continued growth of the use of technology to enhance the education programs by funding the following programs, positions, and purchases:

Appendix G: Walton CSD 2010-11 Installment Purchase Agreement for Technology

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Section SevenAssessment

On-going assessment of needs and utilization of district technology will continue to be conducted during semiannual meetings of the District Technology Committee, as well as in conjunction with the district’s Middle States Accreditation/SACI (School Alliance for Continuous Improvement) process and the annual school improvement plan, LINKS. For SY 2006-07, the district participated in the 5-year Middle States Pathways assessment. For SY 2006-07, the schedule for district technology committee work was increased to accommodate the growth of instructional and information technology in the district.

Assessment will occur in the following areas:

• Hardware needs and utilization

• Software needs and utilization

• Professional Development/Teacher Skills Alignment

• Implementation of technology in current educational programs

• Personnel Evaluation

Assessment methods in the past have included a Technology Survey for administrative and teaching personnel in the spring of 2002. In 2006, a survey at the elementary school level helped to identify professional development needs for technology.

A computer technology upgrade program is in place, providing phased replacement or upgrade of district hardware and software. The evaluation of the use of technology in relation to the District’s curriculum and the NYS standards has been expanded through the Middle States/SACI accreditation process and will continue to be part of staff development in the district.

The fall meeting of the Technology Committee will continue to focus on setting goals and tasks to be accomplished by the committee during the current year. The spring meeting will focus on making adjustments to the technology plan deemed necessary from the assessment tasks undertaken since the fall meeting as well as additional concerns and needs.

Appendix H: Technology Comm. Mtg. Agendas and Participants

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