Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Technology Plan Developed ...scs.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server...community, as well as facilities, it is critical that the district design,

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Technology Plan

Developed By

Stanly County Schools Technology Department

With Guidance from the

Stanly County Schools’ Technology & Media Steering Committee

November 1, 2005

Stanly County Schools Strategic Technology Plan 1

Public Schools of North Carolina North Carolina Instructional Technology Plan

State Board of Education Department of Public Instruction Howard Lee, Chairman Patricia Willoughby, State Superintendent

REQUIRED SUBSTANTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN The local school board has actively involved key stakeholders in the development of a district-wide four-year technology plan that includes the following key components: • a vision statement consistent with the North Carolina Instructional Technology Plan

that reflects the unique qualities and strategic priorities of your local school system;

• the identification of the current situation, goals, objectives and evaluation of the core instructional and administrative components of a technology program that address the five strategic priorities of the ABCs plan for education:

High student performance

Quality teachers, administrators and staff,

Healthy students in safe, orderly and caring schools

Strong family, community and business support, and

Effective and efficient operations;

• a staff development and training component that reflects a budget of 20 to 30 % of the total cost of the technology program; and

• an infrastructure/connectivity component that meets North Carolina Information Technology Services standards to assure compatibility, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness.

LEA Name: Stanly County Schools LEA Number: 840 Signature: Samuel DePaul Mitchell Edwards Superintendent Local Board Chair Person of Contact: Neill Kimrey Telephone number: 704/983.5151 Instructional Technology Division Technology Planning and Support NCDPI


Technology & Media Steering Committee Members

All committee members have been involved in the development of this plan and support its implementation.

Name Title or Group Represented Signature Date Dr. Terry Griffin Asst Super., Curr & Inst. Dr. Angela Mills Asst Super, Admin, Prsnl, & Stdnt Svcs William Josey Dir, Finance & Auxiliary Services Neill Kimrey Dir, Inst Tech Bob Johnston Dir, Admin Tech Leigh Hayes Dir, Except Children Linda Bell Dir, 9-12 Ed & CTE Saundra Huneycutt Dir, Pre K-8 Ed Anne Nance Dir, Testing Beverly Pennington Dir, Student Srvcs Alison Francis Dir, Child Nutrition Jim Trull Dir, Transportation Bob Williamson Dir, Maintenance Cathy Mathews Technology Integration Specialist Owen Squires Dir, StanlyNet Nancy Smoak Media Coordinator, NSHS Madeline Russell Technology Facilitator, Norwood & Aquadale Nicole Williams Parent


VISION Per the Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence (http://www.scs.k12.nc.us/StratPlan/Strategicapproved5305/), the vision for Stanly County Schools is to “be a world-class system of excellence, ensuring success for every student while improving the quality of life for our community in an ever-changing world.” To lead us toward our mission, our schools and community share the following beliefs: • It is the responsibility of Stanly County Schools to provide a rigorous, demanding, quality program for ALL students, without regard to race, color, origin, gender, age, handicapping condition or geographic location in the district. • ALL students, staff, and stakeholders should be treated fairly, with dignity and mutual respect, in a safe, nurturing, clean and healthy environment. • High academic and behavioral expectations should be clearly communicated to all students, and they should be held responsible for attaining them. • Positive external and internal communication is the key to performance excellence. • Learning is an exciting relevant life-long process which extends beyond classroom walls. • All CHILDREN CAN LEARN if they are actively engaged and given a variety of educational experiences that recognize individual learning styles and developmental needs. • Student centered instructional practices should drive a core curriculum that is clearly articulated and consistent across and between grade levels. • Visionary, capable leadership at all levels in the school system is necessary to sustain high performance and engage all stakeholders. • Employee success depends on having adequate training, positive attitude, sufficient materials, time and continuous support. • Education of students is most successful when it involves the school, home, and community. • All community members should have access to information about the school system and the opportunity to be involved in student learning. Technology exists in Stanly County Schools to assist in the implementation of this vision, and to support these beliefs. Stanly County Schools embraces the digital era and strives to provide ubiquitous access to technology for all of its students. Realizing that the population of the district is composed of students from many different socio-economic backgrounds, the district strives to bridge the digital divide. To this end, district technology personnel foresees the day when anywhere, anyplace computing is the norm in Stanly County Schools, with sufficient bandwidth and storage to facilitate this environment. Furthermore, the district strives to move toward a constructivist view of instructional technology, where the integration of technology in the day of a student’s life is seamless. All Stanly County Schools administrators, teachers, district and school staff will use technology to help students attain high standards and prepare for tomorrow's world, whether that include further education, work, or both.


High Student Performance Stanly County Schools will strive to make technology a rigorous and relevant component of the instructional experience of all students. A strong technology foundation will be an integral element that assists in ensuring that every student will be a life-long learner. The district will strive to provide administrators, teachers, and students with significant and appropriate educational experiences, environments, and necessary skills to be productive in the ever-present and growing digital information society. We believe that technology should be integrated across the curriculum to help improve student performance.

Healthy Students in Safe, Orderly and Caring Schools Stanly County Schools is committed to providing a safe and protected learning and physical environment for students, staff and school community members. The district strives to maintain the safety and security of our 10,000 students and 1800 personnel on a daily basis. Current and new technologies have transformed planning and building design; now, more than any other time in the past, Stanly County Schools has the potential to create safe environments for teaching and learning. To protect all members of the educational community, as well as facilities, it is critical that the district design, implement, and maintain technology infrastructures that include integrated security and protection systems, such as telephones in every classroom, warning devices, and monitoring cameras. To provide high availability, network infrastructure design and management must include security and virus protection, which enables educators to ensure safe, curriculum-centered technology use school-wide. Only with proper planning and implementation can the real benefit of educational technology be realized-- the resources and setting it brings into the school setting. Technology opens doors to the world for students and staff alike, levels the playing ground for those who are less fortunate, and simultaneously boosts student interest and motivation. When students are motivated and successful, they tend to work harder and longer, raising the possibility of higher student achievement. This success fosters a culture in which learning is the expectation and ultimate goal. Quality Teachers, Administrators, and Staff The goal of integrating technology seamlessly into the education environment can only be achieved by providing all teachers, administrators, and other staff members with appropriate and timely professional development. Stanly County Schools has a rich history of providing technology-related training to its employees; the district realizes that a large portion of the total cost of ownership for educational technology must be spent on training. To this end, the district strives to budget appropriately for technology staff development, and to provide this training on a timely basis. Furthermore, the district is


committed to ensuring that its administrators and other instructional staff have the skills necessary to meet local, state, and federal technology standards. Strong Family, Community and Business Support Stanly County Schools understands that support from the families of its students and from the community must be present in order to truly educate its students. Furthermore, the district realizes that technology is the ultimate medium for communicating with family, community and business partners. With technology, we believe the district, its schools, and its educational principles and ideals can enter every home—thus enhancing and extending teaching and learning to every individual regardless of age, socioeconomic status, race or gender. Technology enhances the level of communication between the schools and the homes by involving every family in their child’s learning. Effective and Efficient Operations Technology is an integral component of increased productivity and efficient time management, for both the students and staff of Stanly County Schools. An environment that provides omnipresent access to technology positively impacts teaching and learning; schools become an environment where all students and staff have ready access to a full range of current technology, software tools, and applications. Through the use of on-line resources such as NC WISE, TIMS, LEARN NC, CECAS, ABCTools and NCWISE OWL, teachers, administrators, and staff in the district have the means to access pertinent and up-to-date information and resources which allow informed decision making, which improves teaching and learning.


High Student Performance: Current Situation Narrative “Technology is a tool that enables teachers and administrators to work more productively, offering solutions for time management, student monitoring and intervention, and interesting and effective lessons and classroom activities” (North Carolina Educational Technology Plan, 2005-2009) In Stanly County Schools, instruction is the core component of the school system. To that end, the SCS Instructional Technology department has provided leadership and support for the curriculum and resources for technology integration. This is also evident in the district’s Strategic Plan. School technology plans are incorporated into the school improvement plans and require schools to focus on student achievement through the integration of technology. As stated in the North Carolina Educational Technology Plan, 2005-2009, White, Rinstaff, and Kelley (2002) find that integrating technology within the curricular framework increases student achievement. Specialized software, technology tools, computer simulations, constructivist learning, inquiry project-based learning activities, online research, synchronous and asynchronous distance learning, and Internet based courses are methods used to support student achievement. Teacher, administrators, and other Stanly County Schools personnel strive to integrate cooperative learning, digital literacy, core academic literacy, creativity, higher order thinking, and personal and social responsibility into each learning experience—all skills that reflect an environment that requires information and technology literacy as a foundation for all curriculum initiatives. (North Carolina Educational Technology Plan, 2005-2009) Teachers use a variety of software and resources for tracking student performance and analyzing data to modify instruction. The district believes and supports wholly the ability for teachers to benchmark student achievement; to this end, the district employs PLATO’s EduTest as a benchmarking tool for K-5, K-8, and middle schools. Similar tools are being researched for use in the district’s high schools. Orchard, Study Island, Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math, Star Reading, Star Math, SAS inSchools, and various SAT preparation titles provide differentiation and diversity for core academic literacy and individualized instruction. Other software, such as Inspiration, Kidspiration, OpenMind, AppleWorks, Apple iLfe and iWork, and Microsoft Office are used for instruction and production in the teaching and learning environment. Web-based curriculum aligned resources from LEARN NC, Study Island, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction such as NC WiseOwl, Kaleidoscope, and SASinSchool, are used by teachers and students. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year and as a result of Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT), Stanly County Schools has been able to provide additional classroom resources to TITLE I grades 2 – 5 classrooms, including additional computers, digital cameras, digital video cameras, and projectors. Teachers in these classrooms have also been provided high-quality professional development intended to make the


integration of this equipment into their curricular areas seamless. As of the 2005-2006 school year, technology facilitators, “lead” teachers, and principals will also attend technology leadership workshops to help track the progress of technology use and integration in their schools. Administrators continue to use technology to analyze student performance as it applies to ABCs of Public Education, and communicate with stakeholders—teachers, students, and parents. Using ABC Tools and North Carolina Window of Information on Student Education on (NC WISE), as well as EduTest benchmark results, data is analyzed to determine students’ needs and areas for focused instruction at the school and classroom level. Principals are beginning to use this data imported into Excel to pinpoint specific goals and strategies for individualized learning. Because the district is an early adopter of NC WISE, record-keeping, including performance, attendance, and discipline can be accessed almost instantly by administrators and teachers. Stanly County Schools is also using the Comprehensive Exceptional Children’s Accountability System (CECAS) to maintain special education data to generate funding headcounts. As a result, assistive technology programs are in place, such as text readers, text magnifiers, voice recognition software, CCTV, braillers, and various other hardware peripherals. The NC Test of Computer Skills is administered to all eighth grade students to assess technology literacy. The NC Test of Computer Skills is a graduation requirement and a component of the NC ABCs. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study Computer Skills and Information Skills Curriculums prepare students to be successful on the NC Test of Computer Skills administered to eighth grade students. Integrated lesson plans and professional development for teachers are provided to students and teachers. If the student is not successful, then remediation is provided until the student passes the test. The Career & Technical Education (CTE) classrooms continue to use Classroom Manager (CMS95). Teachers also use technology in the classroom to keep records, plan, instruct, manage resources, produce materials, communicate, demonstrate, and assess student progress. While Stanly County Schools has made some success in moving toward flexible scheduling for media centers/media coordinators and computer labs/technology facilitators, most of the districts’ schools use the traditional fixed scheduling approach. IMPACT: Guidelines for North Carolina Media and Technology Programs (IMPACT) provides standards based on current research to develop quality media and instructional technology programs. The IMPACT model defines flexible access as “the ability of any student, teacher, or staff member to access the school library media center and the computer lab and their resources when needed.” Flexible scheduling is the ability for teachers to schedule media resources as needed. Because of fixed schedules and time constraints, total collaboration between media coordinators, technology facilitators, and other teachers is not achieved at most K-5, K-8, and middle schools in Stanly County.


According to the North Carolina Educational Plan, 2005-2009, the following is the recommended minimum number of Technology Support Personnel for each Local Education Agency (LEA):

One Technology Director or Chief Technology Officer One Technology Coordinator for each 10 schools One Technology Facilitator per school, per thousand students One Technology Assistant per school, per thousand students One Technician I, II, or III for every 400 computers. At least one of the

Technicians be a Technician III. One WAN Engineer per LEA (LEAs without a WAN should have one LAN

Engineer From the North Carolina State Technology Plan 2002 located at the following address http://tps.dpi.state.nc.us/Tech2000rev/techplan.html, the recommendations for personnel are listed below: Average Daily Membership Recommended minimum staffing for

each school based on ADM 1-500

• 1 full-time library media coordinator • 1 full-time technology facilitator (school must have at least 50 networked computers). • 1 half-time library media assistant • 1 half-time technology assistant

501-1000

• 1 full-time library media coordinator • 1 full-time technology facilitator (school must have at least 50 networked computers). • 1 full-time media assistant • 1 full-time technology assistant.

1001-1500 • 2 full-time library media coordinators • 2 full-time technology facilitators • 1.5 full-time media assistants • 1.5 full-time technology assistants

Based on recommendations for media and technology positions, the following chart compares the state minimum recommendations with existing Stanly County Schools’ personnel.

Position State Recommended Minimum

Stanly County

Technology Director 1 2


Media Coordinator 23 22

Media Assistants 15 4

Technology Coordinator 2 1

Technology Facilitator 23 10.5

Technology Assistant 15.5 4

Technician (I, II, III) 7 2.5

LAN engineer 1 1

WAN Engineer 1 1

TOTAL 88.5 48 (54%)

According to findings from the 2005 Annual Media and Technology Report (AMTR), Stanly County Schools ranks 33 out of 115 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in percentage of technology support personnel in place. According to the AMTR for 2004-2005, Stanly County Schools has a total of 3016 computers, of which 2752 are designated for student and teacher use. Of the 2752, 2543 (OR 92.4 %) are connected to the internet. Based on AMTR results for 2004-2005, Stanly County ranks 84 out of 115 LEAs with 3.489 students per instructional computer. The average Stanly County Schools classroom has 7.257 students per classroom computer, rating the district 92nd of 115 LEAs. Currently, all classrooms have network and Internet access. Existing mobile units have Internet access utilizing both wired and wireless connections. Many of the mobile units in the district’s four high schools utilize encrypted 802.11b wireless connections. Clearly, as the district moves to a network-centric model, these connections will need to be upgraded or replaced. For the 2005-2006 academic year, at least one modern desktop computer is available in every classroom. However, there is not a Total Cost of Ownership program in place to ensure that a modern computer will continue to be available in each classroom. Funding and budget prohibit the recurring funds to replace technology, and, therefore, today’s modern computers will be legacy computers within the next two years. In the 2003/2004 academic year, Stanly County began putting distance learning labs in its four high schools. Each lab has three large-screen monitors, at least fifteen student workstations, one teacher workstation, and the ability to broadcast to any combination of high schools in the district. A Multi-Conference Unit purchased jointly by the district, Stanly Community College (SCC), and the city of Albemarle afford all three entities the


ability to connect and broadcast to each other. Currently, SCC broadcasts multiple classes to high school students each semester. As the need for higher-level and challenging course offerings increases, Stanly County’s high schools can partner with the community college system to investigate the feasibility for dual enrollments and diverse learning opportunities. Internet-based courses provided through LEARN NC are also available and utilized. Student achievement in Stanly County is directly supported and enhanced by access to technology in classrooms, media centers, and instructional. The district has made an effort to enrich teaching and learning and engage the learner for student achievement with the use of technology. Assistive technology devices are provided for students who have special needs. Automated media centers afford access to resources for all learning experiences and opportunities. Individual schools have available a variety of digital resources: Desktop and laptop computers Digital still cameras Digital video cameras Interactive displays Scanners DVD players CD/DVD burners USB Flash memory drives

LCD projectors Scan Converters Global Positioning Devices (GPS) Microphones Digital audio/video editing Graphing calculators Digital microscopes

These resources, and others, encourage the use of inquiry-based and active learning. Students create and produce as they learn and are engaged in their work, try out new ideas, and gain understanding by constructing their knowledge. Technology enables our students to work individually, in small and large groups to access information, and create products.


High Student Performance: Strategic Technology Plan Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence includes the following goal and objectives to address high student performance: Goal: Stanly County students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be healthy, responsible, and contributing citizens. Objectives 1.1 All schools will meet expected growth and strive for high growth as measured by

the North Carolina Accountability Basic Skills and Control Plan (ABC) by 2008. 1.2 The dropout rate for Stanly County Schools in grades 7-12 will be less than 1%

by 2008. 1.3 The Stanly County composite for all End of Course (EOC) subjects will be 90%

or greater by 2008. 1.4 The percentage of Stanly County students who score at Level III or above on

VoCATS testing will continue to meet or exceed the state average annually. 1.5 The percentage of Stanly County students scoring proficient on the Computer

Competency Test will be 95% or greater by 2008. 1.6 Each school in Stanly County will attain Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as

defined by No Child Left Behind. 1.7 The percentage of students completing the College Prep and/or Tech Prep high

school course of study will be 90% or greater by 2008. 1.8 The Stanly County End of Grade (EOG) performance composite for grades 3-8

will be 90% or greater by 2008.


Strategic Priority 1: High Student Performance* Strategic Goal: Strategic Goal: (Please check.) Every child ready for school Rigorous and relevant academic standards and assessment systems for every student Every student masters essential knowledge and skills Every student graduates from high school Every student a life long learner and ready for work Objective 1.1: All schools will meet expected growth and strive for high growth as measured by the North Carolina Accountability Basic Skills and Control Plan (ABC) by 2008.

Strategy

Resources Needed (Human & Material)

Person(s) Responsible

Budget Needs

Funding Sources Time-line (Proposed

Beginning & Ending dates)

Method of Evaluation

Evaluation Results June, 2006

1.1.1 Provide ample opportunities for teachers and students to use technology as effective instructional tools

technology facilitators, media coordinators, classroom teachers, classroom and lab technology, online databases, instructional software

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology, Elementary/Middle School Education, High School Education, school administrators

$3200/school ($500/school in-kind)

Local, state, federal, other

Beginning September 2005 Ending May 2006

Principal observations, surveys

1.1.2 Provide and support technology tools to help district and school administrators, and classroom teachers make informed decisions based on up-to-date data to

School administrators, technology facilitators, media coordinators, classroom teacher, EduTest, ABC Tools, NC WISE

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology, Administrative Technology,

$111,000 ($11,000 in kind)

Local, state, federal Beginning August 2005 Ending May 2006

Analysis of EOG and EOC test scores


improve math and reading scores

Elementary/Middle School Education, High School Education, and Testing

1.1.3 Elementary and Middle Schools moved from fixed media and technology scheduling to flexible scheduling, per IMPACT recommendations

School administrators, technology facilitators, media coordinators, classroom teachers

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology, Elementary/Middle School Education

$6000 ($4500 inkind)

Local, state, federal, other

Beginning September 2005 Ending May 2006

Focus group meetings, observations, surveys

1.1.4 Assistive technology in Stanly County Schools will be provided when needed

Assistive Technology

Exceptional Children department, school IEP teams, Director of Instructional Technology

$15500 State Beginning July 2005 Evaluated June 2006

Assistive technology inventories, invoices

1.1.5 Stanly County Schools will plan and implement a web-based curriculum product designed to accelerate, individualize, and remediate instruction for K-12 students

EduTest PLATO Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology, Elementary/Middle School Education

$200,000 Local, State, and federal

Beginning July 2005 Ending June 2009 Evaluated June 2006

Logs of planning meeting dates, invoices for implementation

Objective 1.5: The percentage of Stanly County students scoring proficient on the Computer Competency Test will be 95% or greater by 2008. 1.5.1 Classroom teachers will integrate technology into their curricular areas, based upon the NC computer skills standard course of

Technology facilitators, classroom teachers, computer skills resources for classroom teachers

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology,

$8000 ($3400 inkind)

State Beginning August 2005 Ending May 2006

Principal observation forms, roll sheets of training sessions


study Elementary/Middle School Education

1.5.2 Media coordinators will deliver the Information Skills curriculum

Information skills curriculum, media center technology

School administrators, media coordinators

NA NA Beginning August 2005 Ending June 2005

School administrator observations, media coordinator surveys

Objective 1.7 The percentage of students completing the College Prep and/or Tech Prep high school course of study will be 90% or greater by 2008. 1.7 Offer at least six distance learning opportunities for high schools

Additional distance learning equipment and software, optimized data links, principals, classroom teachers

Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Directors of Instructional Technology & High School Education, WAN Manager, school administrators

$49500 Local, state Beginning August 2005 Ending May 2006

Records of class offerings in high schools


Healthy Students in Safe, Orderly and Caring Schools: Current Situation Narrative In Stanly County, each school writes and implements a Safe Schools Plan. Communication is key in all Safe School Plans. Stanly County Schools uses a variety of technology to support Safe School initiatives. The table below indicates safe school components and supporting technologies. Safe Schools Components Supporting Technology

School Campus Security High School Hallway and Parking Lot

Cameras (accessible by local law enforcement), Systems for Lock Down, Fire Drills, Tornado Drills, email accounts for School Resource Officers, Sign-in and Sign-out in Offices, IP Access for 911 Emergencies for Local Police (in schools utilizing VoIP telephony)

School Bus Security Bus Surveillance Cameras, TIMS Bus Information, Cell Phones and radios

Staff ID Systems Implementing district-wide Computer Generated Identification Badges

Student Information/Tracking Systems The Uniform System of Discipline Data Collection (USDDC), NC WISE, Point of Sale

Internet and E-Mail Filtering St. Bernard IPrism content filter, MicroTik Linux (Firewall), Barracuda email spam filter/anti-viru, utilizing statewide license of Command CAV for Servers and Desktops

Communication Devices Intercom, Phone System, Mobile Phones (cellular and Nextel), Two-Way Radio, Fax Machine, E-mail,

Website Use District Website and individual school websites, Filemaker Pro Work Order Database for technology repairs, Online Board Policies, VPNs to allow administrators to utilize the network remotely in case of emergencies

Stanly County’s Child Nutrition Department utilizes Point of Sale for student and staff transactions and to track free and reduced lunch, SARTOX for inventory management, and NutriKids for nutrient analysis and menu creation. Administrative staff also relies heavily upon the NC DPI website, NutriKids.com, FoodServiceAwards.com, and USDA and School Nutrition Association websites. The district Child Nutrition website (located


at http://www.scs.k12.nc.us/ChildNutrition/) provides updated menu information and information for free and reduced lunch programs. Ordering from the central child nutrition employees is managed through the internet. Administrative and technology support also has remote management of cafeteria machines. All cafeteria managers have e-mail. The nurses in the district’s Student Services department also use technology to ensure healthy students. Stanly County’s school nurses have laptops and are beginning to use NC WISE to track student health information. Physical education classes in elementary schools use technology software to track physical fitness. Several schools offer family nights to allow parents to become familiar with technology that is available to students. Other schools offer flexible hours in the media centers so that students may complete school assignments and projects using technology. Beginning in 2005, the district began using the Uniform System of Discipline Data Collection (USDDC). NC WISE attendance data is also used to track at risk students. Statistics regarding student discipline may reside in both databases. Many school buses in Stanly County Schools are equipped with video cameras to maintain security and safety, and the district is implementing a plan in the 2005-2006 school year to provide two-way radios for each school bus. The transportation department also utilizes Transportation Information Management System (TIMS) to route buses, as well as Preventative Maintenance (PM), an IP-based program that interfaces with North Carolina’s state-level transportation department. PM is used to schedule bus maintenance, and is also used to transmit district transportation data to state offices. The department also relies heavily upon e-mail to communicate with local administrators, as well as county and state transportation officials. Security cameras are used in our high schools to monitor high risk areas on campus. Each of our four high schools have at least 16 security cameras on their campuses that are located in hallways, cafeterias, parking lots and gym lobbies. The principal, assistant principals and SRO's have access to the security system along with the superintendent and Director of Admin Technology in the Central Office. The Superintendent also has access at home for the ability to look at the four regions of our county to help make decisions on inclement weather. We also have VPN's setup to our Sheriff and Police station so the can monitor the buildings in case of emergency. Local police in Albemarle can also monitor AHS from the parking lot using a local hot spot located on the side of the building. The proliferation of the Internet has become more prevalent in our students’ lives. Students use the internet for academic purpose, but many also rely on the medium as a cheap means of communication. This means of communication comes with dangers. The district is committed to protecting students from these dangers while at school by using filtering devices and traffic management techniques. The district is also partnering with


local law enforcement agencies to provide relevant training for online safety, for students, staff, and parents.


Healthy Students in Safe, Orderly and Caring Schools: Strategic Technology Plan

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence includes the following goal and objectives to address healthy students in safe, orderly and caring schools.

Goal: All schools will create and maintain safe, orderly, and caring learning environments with high expectations for appropriate student behavior.

Objectives:

2.1 The number of out of school suspensions related to drug use and violence will be reduced by 5% annually.

2.2 The percentage of unexcused absences will decrease by 10% annually and the attendance rate for each school will maintain or exceed 95% each year.

2.3 Annual survey results for the 2005-08 time period will indicate that all students, staff and parents surveyed consistently feel safe at school.

2.4 All schools will achieve proficiency with the Healthy Active Children Policy recommendations regarding physical education and activity.


Strategic Priority 2: Healthy Students in Safe and Orderly and Caring Schools* Strategic Goal: Strategic Goal: (Please check.)

Learning environments inviting and supportive of high student performance Schools free of controlled and illegal substances and all harmful behavior Mutual respect of students, teachers, administrators, and parents Adequate, safe education facilities that support high student performance

Objective 2.1: The number of out of school suspensions related to drug use and violence will be reduced by 5% annually. Strategy

Resources Needed

(Human & Material)


Budget Needs Funding Sources

Time-line (Proposed




2.1 Maintain existing high school surveillance cameras and add cameras in middle and elementary schools, as funding allows

Cameras and computer equipment and software

Director of Administrative Technology, Director of Finance, Director of Maintenance

$8000 State Beginning September, 2005 Ending May, 2006

Observation, discipline records, vandalism reports

2.2 Implement the use of record keeping for student physical activity performance in students grades K-8

FitnessGram/ ActivityGram software for physical education classes

Director of Instructional Technology, Director of Elementary/Middle Education

$193.62/per K-5, K-8, Middle School

State Beginning September, 2005 Ending May, 2006

Observation, activity logs, invoice

2.3 Members of Student Services department will effectively use technology to monitor student discipline and health issues

School nurses, social workers, NC WISE

Director of Student Services, Director of Administrative technology

$13000 ($2000 in kind)

Local, State Beginning September, 2005 Ending May, 2006

NC WISE attendance data, USDDC data, Offense reports


Objective 2.3: Annual survey results for the 2005-08 time period will indicate that all students, staff and parents surveyed consistently feel safe at school. 2.3.1 The district will research and implement a consistent personnel and student identification system

Identification badge system

Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Student Service, and Administration, Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology

$7700 Local, State, Federal

Beginning August 2005 Ending February 2006

Observation

2.3.2 All Stanly County Schools school buses will be equipped with two-way communication devices

Additional two-way communication devices

Director of Facilities/finance, Director of Transportation, Director of Administrative Technology

$79,200 Local, State, Federal

Beginning August 2005 Ending February 2006

Logs of camera installations, invoices

2.3.3 Existing filtering software for world wide web access will be replaced.

Internet Filtering Appliance

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, StanlyNet Director

$7000 Local, State Beginning January, 2006 Ending June, 2006

Purchase and installation records

2.3.6 Existing email filtering (Barracuda Networks appliance) will be evaluated and renewed or replaced

Email Filtering Appliance

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, StanlyNet Director, Director of Finance

$3500 Local, State Beginning February, 2006 Ending June, 2006

Purchasing records

2.3.7 The district will continue upkeep of district web site. Schools will continue upkeep of school sites. The

Existing web servers, web site creation training, NC @ Your Service web service for teachers

Director of Instructional Technology, Technology Integration Specialist, School

Refer to Strategic Priority 4, Objective 4.3

State

Beginning September, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessments

Roll sheets and evaluation of training sessions, observation of teacher web


number of teacher websites will increase annually by 10%.

Administrators, teachers

yearly in June pages

2.3.8 As schools replace aging PBX-style telephone systems, they will be strongly encouraged to utilize the districts standard for VoIP.

3COM VoIP telephony solution

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, StanlyNet Director, Director of Finance, school administrators

$5500 Local, State Beginning September, 2005 Evaluated June, 2006

Records of discussions with school administrators

2.3.9 Two-way communication and mobile phone contracts will be continued

Nextel phones, pagers, two-way radios

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, Director of Maintenance, Director of Finance, Director of Transportation

$26,300 Local Beginning July 2005 Ending June 2006

Invoices from providers


Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff: Current Situation Narrative Stanly County Schools has a rich heritage of providing high quality technology-related professional development. Federal funding (TLCF and EETT grants) has allowed the district to provide training in technology integration that could not have been offered otherwise. Technology facilitators and media coordinators offer scheduled professional development on a monthly or weekly basis. “Just In Time” training happens virtually on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most scheduled professional development is offered after school. Moving to flexible schedules for media and technology personnel could alleviate this problem, though. Furthermore, the district offers many technology-related professional development opportunities during the summer break. Over the past several years, these have included, but are not limited to, Kaleidoscope training, NC WISE OWL training, SASinSchools training, technology integration training based on Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow, digital storytelling and documentary making training, and web page construction training. Practically all summer professional development offerings are taught by technology personnel, including central office personnel and technology facilitators. All of these professional development opportunities are designed to ensure the participants go away with clear notions of how to integrate the skills they learned into their classrooms. Most sessions are based on helping the teacher integrate project-based learning into his/her classroom. Stanly County Schools requires two technology-related Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during the five-year cycle renewal cycle for licensed employees. To effectively use technology, users must have training. Unfortunately, with meager levels of funding from local, state and federal sources, it is difficult to justify spending 20-30% of annual funds for professional development, as is recommended by NC DPI. Stanly County Schools’ technology professional development expenditures over the last five years have ranged from 8% to 14%, not including in-kind sources. With in-kind professional development from employees, the percentage ranges from 18% to 24%. The district is also examining partnerships with Stanly Community College to assist in delivering high-quality technology-related professional development. Stanly County employees rely heavily on internet- and intranet-based resources as a means of communication and support. Stanly County was the second school district in the state to provide a district website. Now, each school has its own web page, which is updated by school personnel. Many classroom teachers also have classroom web pages, hosted either locally or on approved third-party sites. Each Stanly County Schools employee whose day-to-day activities include working with students has a district-provided email account. The district’s email solution, FirstClass by OpenText, goes far beyond the capabilities of a POP3 or IMAP email server. It provides calendaring functionality for employees and assets, instant messaging, and email conferencing for collaboration. Email is used instructionally and administratively, and is an effective source of communication in Stanly County Schools. Faculty and staff members with email accounts can choose to access their own accounts via the FirstClass email client, loaded on all district computers, or through the world wide web using the web client


interface. Stanly County Schools was in WAVE I of NC WISE implementation; teachers are expected to use NC WISE for grade book functions and for keeping attendance. Other employees, such as school administrators, directors, and school nurses are also expected to use NC WISE to support their day-to-day job functions. Administrators and central office employees also utilize CECAS and USDDC. Stanly County subscribes to web-based database resources from Thomson-Gale (Discovering Collection and Junior Reference Collection) and EBSCOhost. Teachers rely heavily on these classroom resources, as do students. Teachers also utilize NC WISE OWL resources, ie. Kaleidoscope, Grolier encyclopedias, and SASinSchool.


Strategic Priority : Quality Teachers and Staff

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence includes the following goal and objectives to address quality teachers and staff. Goal: Stanly County schools will recruit and retain highly qualified, diverse, innovative and technologically adept teachers, administrators and support personnel. Objectives: 3.1 The teacher turnover rate in Stanly County will be maintained at 12% or lower in all

areas of certification throughout the 2005-08 time period. 3.2 The percentage of teachers holding/enrolled in advanced degrees (masters or higher) will

be 50% or greater by 2008. 3.3 The percentage of teachers who hold National Board Certification will be 20% or

greater by 2008.

3.4 Survey results for the 2005-08 time period will indicate that 90% or more of the employees feel there is sufficient staff development, support from administration, and adequate materials to perform duties as assigned.

3.5 The percent of certified minority professionals will be 6% or greater by 2008. 3.6 The percentage of administrators holding/enrolled in sixth year or doctoral programs will

be 25% or greater by 2008.


Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff: Strategic Technology Plan

Strategic Priority 3: Quality Teachers, Administrators and Staff* Strategic Goal: (Please check.) Professional preparation aligned with state priorities A system to develop, train, and license a BK (birth-kindergarten) professional staff for public schools A system to recruit, retain, and compensate a diverse corps of quality teachers, administrators, and staff A system to ensure high performance of teachers, administrators, and staff A system of continuous learning and professional development to support high performance of all employees High ethical and professional standards for all employees

Objective 3.4: Survey results for the 2005-06 time period will indicate that 90% or more of the employees feel there is sufficient staff development, support from administration, and adequate materials to perform duties as assigned.

Strategy




Time-line (Proposed




3.1 The district will implement a tool for teachers to self-evaluate themselves based upon ISTE NETS standards for teachers

Online survey software

Director of Instructional Technology, Staff Development coordinator

$4000 State PRC 15 funds

Beginning December, 2005 Ending May, 2005

Survey results

3.2.1 Provide professional development to help teachers integrate technology into their curricular areas.

ACOT training Internet access

Director of Instructional Technology

$11900 for two sessions, including substitute costs

State & federal (EETT)

Beginning September, 2005 Ending July, 2006

Sign in sheets, Training evaluations, Principal observations

3.2.2 Provide at least five additional technology-related professional development

SCC collaboration, SCC classrooms

Director of Instructional Technology, SCC Coordinator of Community Service

$300 per fifteen-hour session

SCC funded Beginning November, 2005 Ending June, 2006

Sign in sheets, Evaluations


opportunities through a partnership with Stanly Community College

Programs

3.3 Technology facilitators (K-8 settings) and media coordinators (9-12 settings) will receive sufficient training in areas to be instructional resources for teachers

Professional development Train-the-trainer training

Director of Instructional Technology, Technology Integration Specialist, Staff Development coordinator

$5200 State & federal Beginning September, 2005 Ending May, 2006

Sign in sheets, Training evaluations, Principal observations

3.4 Stanly County Board of Education will require at least 2.0 CEU of technology-related professional development during the normal five-year renewal cycle for licensed employees.

Professional Development, HRMS system

Director of Instructional Technology, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Student Services, and Administration, Staff Development Coordinator

NA NA Beginning July 1, 2005 Ending June 30, 2006

Renewal Credit Reports

3.5 100% of staff members will understand and abide by the SCS Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy, policy 3195.

Professional development at staff meetings, web page which highlights policy and repercussions

Director of Instructional Technology, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Student Services, and Administration, Technology Integration Specialist

NA NA Beginning May, 2006 Ending October, 2006

Sign-in sheets, incident reports

3.6.1 Individuals Filemaker Pro web Director of NA NA Beginning June, Online


providing professional development will receive timely, appropriate evaluations of training sessions

page for professional development evaluations, tied to existing professional development registration database

Instructional Technology

2006 Ending August, 2006

evaluation reports

3.6.2 The district instructional technology department, with assistance from the district staff development coordinator, and in partnership with the UNCC ITC department, will develop a follow-up system for technology-related professional development

Collaboration time, existing email conferencing software

Director of Instructional Technology, Technology Integration Specialist, coordinator of staff development, UNCC ITC staff

$1500 $1500 Beginning April, 2006 Ending September, 2006

Surveys of individuals completing technology-related professional developoment

3.6.3 Science teachers will be trained to use software accompanying new science textbook adoptions

Textbook software Directors of elementary/middle and high school education, textbook representatives

In-kind Beginning September 2005 Ending November 2005

Logs of training attendance


Strong Family, Community and Business Support: Current Situation Narrative Stanly County Schools presently provides e-mail accounts for all teachers. (See Quality Teachers… section). School and district personnel use accounts to keep in touch with students, other personnel, administrators, parents, and others in the Stanly County Schools community. Currently, students who need access to e-mail are using the free version of Gaggle.net, though the district is evaluating the use of Novell Groupwise web-mail for student email access. Telephones are not available in all classrooms throughout the system. Currently, the newer schools have telephone access in all classrooms. These schools include South Stanly Middle School, Kendall Valley Elementary, Running Creek Elementary, Albemarle Middle School, and Central Elementary School (currently under construction). Other schools, like Endy Elementary School, East Albemarle Elementary School, Locust Elementary School, and Albemarle High School, have school-wide telephone access, but not in every classroom. The district has standardized on Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony for all future buildings and renovations. Like many districts, Stanly County Schools relies upon local media providers for dissemination of information. Two local newspapers exist in Stanly County: The Stanly News and Press and The Weekly Post. Both provide local coverage of school events and do an excellent job of “getting the word out” for school business. The local radio stations, WSPC 1010 AM and WZKY 1580 AM, also provide air-time for school officials and public service announcements as they relate to the district. Most classrooms in the districts’ school have cable television access. Similarly, many schools have closed-circuit television broadcast ability; most of these schools take advantage of this system by using over-the-air television shows, pre-recorded instructional material, and student-created news casts. Many schools in the district have access to Channel One, a leading source of news and information for young people, with 12-minute news broadcasts delivered daily. Through a partnership with Stanly Community College and TimeWarner, regularly-scheduled board meetings are rebroadcast on the local access cable channel. In August of 1997, Stanly County Schools began discussing the possibility of creating a county-wide IP network with Albemarle City Schools (later that fall merged with the county district), Stanly Memorial Hospital, Pfeiffer University, Stanly Community College, and administrators of both the county of Stanly and the city of Albemarle. Later, in December of 1998, StanlyNet was incorporated as a non-profit 503 (c)(3) corporation. Its initial members were the merged school district and the community college. Later, the city of Albemarle joined the group. While the initial hope of building a county-wide high-speed IP network has not materialized, the group does employ a Director/WAN Manager who is shared by its members, and continues to work toward jointly-funded and community beneficial initiatives, such as a downtown Albemarle hotspot zone, internet access and technology support for a computer lab in Albemarle’s public housing community center, and possible public safety/EMS video conferencing capabilities.


A district website exists and is used for a variety of purposes by students, teachers, families, and the community. The site lists pertinent information such as SCS News and Events, district information, school information and activities, resources for teachers, Board of Education Policies and Guidelines, weather-related school closings, school menus, employment information, and the school calendar. Keeping the district site updated regularly is a challenge, as there exists no full-time webmaster. Each school also has its own web site, housed either centrally or on the district web server. Schools, like the central office, find it challenging to keep these sites up-to-date, but most do a good job of listing parent-teacher conference dates, athletic events, staff listings, and other pertinent school news. According to 2004-2005 AMTR data, 31.8% of North Carolina’s teachers have classroom websites. Stanly County Schools trails behind, with only 8.9% of classroom teachers have web sites. The district enjoys a healthy relationship with the local community college, Stanly Community College. Many employees turn to SCC for training and professional development opportunities. Currently, the district technology department and SCC’s Program Coordinator of Community Service Programs are discussing ways to partner to provide additional professional development opportunities. The district has also partnered with SCC in the creation of Stanly Academy, a local educational opportunity for youth who are deemed at-risk for dropping out of school. The possibility of increasing this partnership to create a middle college site is being studied. The district also enjoys a strong relationship with Pfeiffer University. Many of the education majors at Pfeiffer are provided opportunities for clinical exercises and student teacher by the district. Strong community and family support is recognized and supported by Stanly County Schools. Many different organizations, including faith-based groups, are in collaboration with district schools to provide quality after-school programs that meet the needs of the students and families in the community. Some of these partnerships have resulted in strengthened tutorial programs and increased availability of extra-curricular activities. District schools have also partnered with the local YMCA to provide elementary aquatics instructions, and exercise programs for students in the districts at-risk program, Stanly Academy. Many schools offer family fun nights or a parents’ night that engage the students and parents in learning activities. Some schools also open labs to students and parents before and after school to enable research, help with homework, and job searches. The Stanly County Public Library and its branches work with the schools to provide books and periodicals that support curricular goals. The schools also provide Accelerated reader books list for the libraries to post for student readers’ benefit. The district technology department and the Stanly County Public Library are also discussing ways to share collection information to create a virtual union catalog. The district technology department often turns to local businesses to provide “financial” support for professional development in the form of door prizes and refreshments. Local churches also “donate” space for professional development opportunities, when the need arises.


Strong Family, Community and Business Support: Strategic Technology Plan

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence includes the following goal and objectives to address strong family, community and business support. Goal: Open lines of communication will exist between the school system and home and the school system and business community. Objectives: 4.1 Ninety percent (90%) or more of the students will be represented in one or more parent-

teacher conference with 100% teacher-parent contact per year by 2008. 4.2 All schools will have a minimum of one business/community partnership by 2008. 4.3 The percentage of parents surveyed annually during the 2005-08 time span will

consistently indicate that 95% or more feel school goals are clearly communicated. 4.4 The percentage of parents surveyed annually during the 2005-08 time span will

consistently indicate that 95% or more feel welcome in their community school. 4.5 The percentage of parents surveyed annually during the 2005-08 time span will

consistently indicate that 95% or more feel they are given sufficient opportunity to discuss student progress.


Strategic Priority 4: Strong Family, Community, and Business Support* Strategic Goal: (Please check.) State education priorities responsive to the needs of the family, community, and business customers A comprehensive and aligned system of support for the academic success and general well-being of all children that promotes: A system to build the capacity of local districts to create, respond to, and sustain meaningful partnerships Goal: Open lines of communication will exist between the school system and home and the school system and business community

Strategy



Budget Needs

Funding Sources

Time-line (Proposed



Evaluation Results July, 2006

4.1 Student email will be researched and possibly implemented for high school students.

Existing Novell SLA/Groupwise licensing

Director of Instructional Technology, StanlyNet WAN manager

Groupwise is a part of the $25,00 yearly Novell SLA fee

Local, state

Beginning January, 2006 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Log of Groupwise usage

4.2 The district will continue to use local media providers as effective public relations tools

BOE meeting videos, verbage submitted to media outlets by SCS administrators

Principals, District-level administrators

NA

NA

Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Copies of DOE meeting videos, copies of newspaper articles

4.3 The district will continue upkeep of

Existing web servers, web site creation

Director of Instructional

$2500 (in kind)

State

Beginning September, 2005

Roll sheets and evaluation of


district web site. Schools will continue upkeep of school sites. The number of teacher websites will increase annually by 10%.

training, NC @ Your Service web service for teachers

Technology, Technology Integration Specialist, School Administrators, teachers

Ending June , 2009 Assessments yearly in June

training sessions, observation of teacher web pages

4.4.1 All schools will open media centers and technology labs on a monthly basis, when possible, and as staffing allows

Media centers, technology labs

School media coordinators and technology facilitators

$6600 ($6600 inkind)

Local, State


Log sheets of visitors

4.4.2 Stanly County Schools, as a member of StanlyNet, reconnect and update the lab in the Albemarle public housing community center.

Wireless LAN equipment, computers

Director of Instructional Technology, Director of Administrative Technology, StanlyNet Director

$6500

Local, State

Beginning January, 2006 Ending July, 2006

Log in sheets of users

4.5.1 Stanly County Schools will continue to fund its portion of StanlyNet

Budget Director of Finance, StanlyNet Director

$81,000 Local Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Budget form for StanlyNet

4.5.2 Stanly County Schools will work jointly with SCC to

Additional classroom technology, professional

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and

$20,0000 Local, State Beginning July 1, 2005

Surveys of students and staff at Stanly


provide ubiquitous access to technology for faculty and students of Stanly Academy

development, StanlyNet WAN connection

Instruction, Director of Instructional Technology, StanlyNet Director

Ending June, 2006 Academy, invoices for purchases

4.6.1 Stanly County Schools will implement a network-based storage and account system for high school faculty and staff

Novell Upgrades, consultation hours, additional server hardware and upgrades

Director of Instructional Technology, Director of Administrative Technology, SCS LAN technician, StanlyNet Director, high school media coordinators and technology assistants

$23,000 Local and State Beginning July, 2005 Evaluated May, 2006

Usage surveys from students and staff, log files from Novell servers


Effective and Efficient Operation: Current Situation Narrative The adoption of NC WISE has changed the make-up and support structure of Stanly County Schools’ technology department. In the Spring of 2004, the interim superintendent and the directors of technology began discussing ways to help support the impending adoption of NC WISE in Stanly County Schools. One move that was decided was to make an effort to make the operating systems used in the district consistent. All computers that relied upon the Microsoft operating system and met NC WISE standards were migrated to Windows XP Professional. All Macintosh computers, similarly, were migrated to Macintosh OS X. Furthermore, at that time, three of four high schools were using Macintosh-based computers and three of five elementary schools were using Microsoft-based computers. The technology in these schools was “flip-flopped”; all four high schools now employ Windows-based Dell computers, and all K-5 and K-8 schools use Macintosh-based computers. In all, this move of platforms and upgrades for NC WISE cost the district in excess of $200,000. Along with this change, and for NC WISE support purposes, a new Macintosh technician and new Windows technician were hired. The district is now beginning to reap the rewards of this groundwork, though, as the “new” technicians have settled into a groove and can provide quick support for their schools. Also, in July of 2004, one of the technology facilitators was moved from being full-time school-based to full-time central office-based. Her sole role for the 2004-2005 academic year was to assist in ensuring a smooth district transition to NC WISE. Although her role was cut to one-half-time NC WISE transition specialist/one-half-time technology facilitator in the 2005-2006 school year, her guidance and leadership in the second year of NC WISE transition is crucial. Currently, Stanly County Schools has the following positions to serve 22 schools, two programs, three administrative buildings, and approximately 3,000 desktops and laptops:

Title Number Director of Instructional Technology 1 Director of Administrative Technology 1 Technology Integration Specialist 1 NC WISE Transition Specialist 0.5 Technicians 4.5 Technology Facilitators 11.5 Technology Assistants 4 Total 23.5

Stanly County Schools is very fortunate to have 11.5 technology facilitators to support technology instruction and integration in the district elementary and middle schools. Each high school has a technology assistant who assists with the upkeep and support of the instructional computer labs and the classroom computers. Additionally, the Career Technical Education (CTE) Department has personnel at middle and high schools to integrate technology-based career exploration curricula. Because of the lack of technology facilitators in the high schools, at the end of the 2004-2005 school year, four


NCWISE mentors were trained to assist with the implementation of NCWISE in their schools. These teachers are paid no differently than other teachers, and carry a full course-load. They do, however, receive extra training opportunities and each has a Dell Windows XP Pro laptop to use for NC WISE presentations and for technology integration in their classrooms. The district also has 22 full-time data managers, one for each school, although some of those personnel are also assigned other duties for part of the instructional day. Local funding for Stanly County Schools’ technology is generally $300,000 dollars yearly. These funds are used primarily for computer maintenance and network infrastructure upkeep. The state fund for technology, PRC 15 has been approximately $85,000-$120,000 yearly, variations dependent upon fines and forfeitures. Other state funds support instructional initiatives such as additional computer and/or hardware replacement and professional development. Since 2000-2001, Stanly County has received funding from Title II, Part D, Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT). Approximately 40% of the funds are used for professional development. Local funding and state PRC15 funds are used to support the EETT project, which provides additional technology in TITLE I schools and classrooms. Stanly County Schools has applied for priority one E-Rate which provides 60% of the cost for internet access and wide area network (WAN) connectivity. Also, for the first time in the 2005-2006 academic year, the district has applied for reimbursement for internal connection costs. Depending upon how far eRate funding is able to “dip,” up to six of the district schools may be eligible for LAN upgrades. Funding Source Potential Funds/September

2005 Use of Funds

Federal—E-Rate $99,409 Telecommunications, including internet access, WAN charges, and telephone charges

Federal-EETT $26,500 Professional Development, Classroom Technology

Federal-PRC 059 (IASA Title V)

$30,174 Online resources, including EBSCOHost and Thomson-Gale resources

State (including carryover)

$ 257,872 Professional Development Courses and Training, Pinnacle Leaders Hardware and Software, Contract Service for Professional Development, Distance Learning Instruction and Hardware, Instructional software, Streaming video license, Infrastructure, Online assessments for 5th and 7th grades, Technology Literacy Resources

Local $300,000 Upgrade and replacement of


classroom, lab, media, and administrative computers, upgrade and replacement of network and server hardware

To ensure that the network environment is secure, the following measures have been taken: Web filtering through St. Bernard District-wide anti-virus protection using Command Anti-Virus software Selectively distributed spyware removal tools on workstations Individual login and password for all Stanly County Schools’ Windows users in high schools and middle schools Desktop restrictions to prevent un-authorized installation of non-instructional software Private IP addressing setup provided by Novell Netware DHCP services District intrusion protection provided by Microtik firewall(s) Network monitoring tools, including MRTG and InterMapper, to monitor and restrict

rogue programs Increased security for AS400 access to human resource data and financial data. Stanly County Schools has a district-wide Acceptable Use Policy for both students and staff. Other policies, procedures, and guidelines are also in place to ensure a safe network and provide security for users and data. Outside access to the network is limited and secure. Policies and guidelines are located in Appendix A and posted on the Stanly County Schools’ website. Prior to the 2005-2006 academic year, the district supplied its own WAN connections to the four high schools through a self-maintained wireless WAN. From the high schools, point-to-point T1 connected the middle and elementary schools (were this service was available and affordable). The WAN connections at four elementary and middle schools were provided by additional wireless connections to South Stanly High School and West Stanly High Schools. Two schools relied upon prosumer broadband connections for WAN connectivity. Although this WAN setup was low-cost and fairly fast, technology personnel’s time began to increase for maintenance. In short, new technology initiatives took a back seat to maintenance of the WAN. During the 2004-2005 school year, the district posted a Request for Proposal for managed bandwidth. Stanly County Schools’ Board of Education approved the installation of a fiber-ring by CTC. Of the district’s 22 schools, 18 are currently on this fiber ring. Bandwidth varies from 3 MB to 15 MB, based upon the number of students and staff. The district’s Pre-Kindergarten program utilizes ADSL for internet access. The maintenance department connection is provided via district-installed fiber from a neighboring elementary school. The transportation department is serviced by a point-to-point T1. One of the six schools not on the CTC-provided fiber ring, South Stanly High School, is currently being placed on a managed wireless link from Conterra. All district wide area network connections terminate at the central office (either directly or through tunneled IP connections); district bandwidth from the ISP, also CTC, is 20 MB. Sample network monitoring graphs generated by


MRTG are shown in Appendix E. Below is a table representing connection speeds for all Stanly County Sites.

Stanly County Schools Bandwidth/WAN Connections Central Office 20 Mb/s Bus Garage 1.54 Mb/s Albemarle HS 10 Mb/s North Stanly HS 10 Mb/s South Stanly HS 50Mb/s West Stanly HS 15Mb/s Albemarle MS 5 Mb/s New London Choice MS 5 Mb/s South Stanly MS 4 Mb/s Aquadale ES 3 Mb/s Badin ES 5 Mb/s Central ES 5 Mb/s East Albemarle ES 5 Mb/s Endy ES & Maintenance 5 Mb/s Kendall Valley ES 5 Mb/s Locust ES 4 Mb/s Millingport ES 5 Mb/s North Albemarle Elem 5 Mb/s Norwood ES 4 Mb/s Oakboro ES 5 Mb/s PreK Program 3 Mb/s Richfield ES 5 Mb/s Ridgecrest ES 5 Mb/s Running Creek ES 5 Mb/s Stanfield ES 4 Mb/s As mentioned earlier, Stanly County ranks 84 out of 115 LEAs with 3.489 students per instructional computer. The average Stanly County Schools classroom has 7.257 students per classroom computer, rating the district 92nd of 115 LEAs. Clearly, there is room for improvement. Stanly County Schools also has approximately 28% of existing school computers that are outside of their warranty periods. Funding and budgets are inadequate to provide a replacement cycle; therefore, repair costs are rising. As our students strive to meet the needs of today’s high-tech students, schools are in need of projection devices, electronic whiteboards, color laser printers, and laptops. Additional wiring is an on-going need as the demand for more than one networked computer in the classroom increases and as existing rooms and closets are rearranged and made into additional classrooms.


Effective and Efficient Operations: Strategic Technology Plan

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Plan for Excellence includes the following goal and objectives to address effective and efficient operations. Goal: Stanly County Schools will utilize federal, state, and local funds to provide operational programs that are designed to enhance the learning environment of all students, support student growth, and maintain clean and efficient facilities. Objectives: 5.1 Establish long-range facilities plan and implement as funding becomes available. 5.2 All schools will have adequate and equitable facilities and services. 5.3 Establish a long-range technology plan to support existing and future projects/programs. 5.4 Stanly County Schools will maintain annual audit findings of zero. 5.5 Secure and allocate resources to support system initiatives to accelerate the learning of students not reaching their full potential. 5.6 Support the maximum utilization of all facilities through location of programs and allocation of resources.


Effective and Efficient Operation: Strategic Technology Plan

Goal 5: Effective and Efficient Operations* Strategic Goal: (Please check.) Components of the education system aligned to achieve high performance Decision making authority and control at the most appropriate level closest to the classroom Information and accountability systems capable of reporting strategic and operational results A funding system that provides adequate and aligned financial and personnel resources to maximize educational achievement

Strategy

Resources Needed

(Human & Material)



Time-line (Proposed



Evaluation Results July, 2006

Objectives 5.2 All schools will have adequate and equitable facilities and services. 5.2.1 Follow IMPACT guidelines to provide state recommended media and technology instructional positions

IMPACT, NC State Technology Plan,

Board of Education, Superintendent, Human Resource, Finance, other administrators

Based upon needed personnel

Local and State Beginning January 2006 Evaluated July, 2006

AMTR

5.2.2 Follow NC Technology Plan guidelines to provide state recommended technical positions

IMPACT, NC State Technology Plan,

Board of Education, Superintendent, Human Resource, Finance, other administrators, Camp Price-DPI

Based upon needed personnel

Local and State Beginning January 2006 Evaluated July, 2006

AMTR

5.2.3 Prioritize funding needs

Online database, District Strategic Plan, List of funding requests

Board of Education, Superintendent, Principals, Other administrators

N/A N/A Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009

Prioritized list of funding needs


Assessed yearly in June

5.2.3 Replace obsolete computers in offices, classrooms, media centers, and computer labs

Additional Dell and Apple computers, Technicians

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology

$252,000 State and Local Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Copies of Purchase orders

5.2.4 Replace current outdated media automation system with web-based system

InfoCenter software, additional servers

Director of Instructional Technology, media coordinators

$23565 State and local Beginning December, 2005 Ending May, 2006

Copies of purchase orders, logs of training

Objective 5.3 Establish a long-range technology plan to support existing and future projects/programs. 5.3.1 Review existing policies, guidelines, and procedures to determine areas of inadequacies

Local Policy Manual, review of policies and guidelines

Local Board of Education, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Students Services, and Administration, Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology

N/A N/A Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Minutes of Committee Meeting, Copy of new policies, guideline, procedures

5.3.2 Establish a feasible long-range budget for hardware replacement

Existing inventory

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, District Technology Steering


Approved budget


Committee 5.3.3 Establish a feasible long-range expansion budget

Existing inventory

Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, District Technology Steering Committee


Approved budget

5.3.4 Finish WAN upgrades to provide a more managed solution for district bandwidth

Existing WAN Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, Director of StanlyNet, LAN engineer

$17000 Local and State Beginning May, 2005 Ending March, 2006

Current WAN diagram

5.3.5 Update LAN equipment in schools that do not have up-to-date equipment

Existing LANS Directors of Instructional and Administrative Technology, Director of StanlyNet, LAN engineer

$32,000 Local, State, and eRate

Beginning January, 2006 Ending June, 2006

Current LAN diagrams, purchase orders of equipment

5.3.6 Migrate HVAC monitoring to network-based systems in remaining eight schools schools.

Existing LANS, retired computers from classrooms

Maintenance Director, Director of Administrative Technology, Director of StanlyNet, LAN engineer

$3500 ($250 Iin-kind)

Local Began July, 2004 Ending November, 2005

Approved Budget, telephone line billing, HVAC communication diagram

5.3.7 Enable web-based HVAC monitoring in four schools.

Existing LANS, SCADA servers, training for system

Maintenance Director, Director of Administrative Technology, Director of

$63280 Local Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009 Assessed yearly in June

Approved Budget, HVAC communication diagram


StanlyNet, LAN engineer

5.3.8 Web-based inventory re-order process for school supplies

Existing LANS, web server for system, training for system

Maintenance Director, Director of Administrative Technology, Director of StanlyNet, LAN engineer

$800 Local Beginning January, 2006 Evaluated July, 2006

Approved Budget

5.5 Secure and allocate resources to support system initiatives to accelerate the learning of students not reaching their full potential. 5.5.1 Administrators will use data to make informed decisions about staff and students in the schools

Professional development, EduTest, ABS Tools, NC WISE

Director of Administrative Technology, Director of Testing, Staff Development Coordinator


Roll sheets for professional development, administrator surveys on technology use

5.6 Support the maximum utilization of all facilities through location of programs and allocation of resources. 5.6.1 Equip school cafeterias with updated computers for managerial purposes

Windows XP computers

Director of Administrative Technology, Director of Child Nutrition

$1100/ school

Local Beginning July 2005 Ending June 2007 Evaluated June 2006 & 2007

Invoices for computers

5.6.2 Install barcode readers in K-5/K-8 schools to decrease time students spend in breakfast and lunch lines

Barcode readers, existing cash register computers

Director of Administrative Technology, Director of Child Nutrition

$300/ school (for 15 schools)

Local Beginning July 2005 Ending June 2006

Invoices for barcode readers

5.6.3 Fund telephone costs

Telephone lines Director of Finance

~$10,000/month for the district

Local, State, and Federal

Beginning July, 2005 Ending June, 2009

Spreadsheet showing telephone bills


Assessed yearly in June 5.6.4 Fund Internet access and WAN costs

Fiber ring, wireless links

Director of Finance, StanlyNet Director

$37,600/month for the district

Local and Federal


Spreadsheet showing Internet/WAN connectivity costs

Documents

Stanly County Schools’ Strategic Technology Plan Developed ...scs.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server...community, as well as facilities, it is critical that the district design,