AIM 5: How Technology Supports 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
Objective 5.1 Promote and maintain efficient management and operations across the system.
Strategy	Time-line	Method of Evaluation	Evaluation Results July, 2007
5.1a Provide students and teachers with Internet Safety and Technology Acceptable Use policies.	2005-2010 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in October	Acceptable Use Database	This has achieved greater focus because of threats such as cyber predation and bullying.  This topic is treated on the school planner for ’06-’07 in three distinct items.  Further, Internet Safety Week is being planned for 9/18-22 in our school system. We use a feature in our library automation system that allows us to track students with signed AUPs from school to school.
5.1b Refine Computer Utilization Survey and tie it to achievement	2005-2010 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in November	Annual statistical summaries and EOG/EOC data	A brief blog entry about it. The major work on this project is done during the summer months…and is conveyed to principals during the July visits. Trying to tie computer utilization to academic achievement is a worthy goal but, in reality, next to impossible.
5.1c Ensure adequate staffing levels in media and technology to meet the needs of students and staff.	2005-2010 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in November	Staffing levels inventory	We are in the best position in years. We have gained IMPACT positions so that 10 schools have full-time ITFs and 6 have half-time ITFs. All have certified MCs. Our job is two-fold. First, we must move the half-timers to full-timers. Second, we must replace retiring folks with the best professionals our money can buy.
5.1d Provide training to NC WISE leadership personnel in use of software (such as databases and spreadsheets) needed to further analyze NC WISE student data.	2005-2007 with quarterly benchmarks and evaluations	Workshop evals	This is underway slowly. Our initiation into NCWise has been delayed until SY07-08.
5.1e Establish an NC WISE steering committee that includes school and central office personnel to implement NC WISE conversion in the 2006-07 school year.	2005-2006	Timelines	Complete, however our initiation into NCWise has been delayed until SY07-08.
5.1f Develop a school level training plan that uses web-based training and other resources to introduce and maximize NC WISE usage across the system.	2005-2010 with annual benchmarks and evaluations in July	Participation rates	This is underway slowly. Our initiation into NCWise has been delayed until SY07-08. Skeleton NCWise Site for Carteret
Objective 5.2 Demonstrate accountability for all budgeted and expended funds.
5.2a Convey funding priorities in simplified and consistent form to decision makers and funders.	2005-2010 with benchmarks and evaluations April through July	Funding dollars	Some success here. Because of the intense scrutiny under which we operate, our funding processes have improved over time. In fact, this marks the first in five years that the BOE has approved the entire technology request. I have voiced a concern, though. Our process, which essentially requires budget requests around November, limits flexibility. Needs change in the interim months before the process concludes, and we have little recourse to modify requests.
5.2b Use NC WISE "Help Desk" data logs to locate NC WISE usage deficiencies related to hardware and bandwidth.	2005-2010 with monthly benchmarks and evaluations	Responses to help desk	NA—Our initiation into NCWise has been delayed until SY07-08.
5.2c Establish a contingency budget, submitted annually, to provide for any unanticipated upgrades needed for NC WISE access and data entry.	2005-2010 with benchmarks and evaluations April through July	Ability to pay for needs	Although, our initiation into NCWise has been delayed until SY07-08, this is one area that could be getting greater attention.
Objective 5.3 Maintain and provide quality facilities.
5.3a Migrate e-mail to a centralized solution.	2006-2007	Adherence to Completion Timetables and efficiency of migration
5.3b Migrate library automation to a centralized, web-based solution.	2006	Adherence to Completion Timetables and efficiency of migration	The migration from Sagebrush Spectrum to Follett Destiny took 10 months of careful planning and implementation. It stands as a model of one of the most seamless implementations we have done.
5.3c Maintain bandwidth at levels that support needs of users.	Adherence to Completion Timetables and efficiency of migration	Bandwidth tests NCWise reports	This has been several years in the making. Effective July 1, 2006, we are in 3-yr contract w/ Time Warner Cable. This deal substantially increases our connectivity among schools and to the Internet. Job’s done…for now.
Objective 5.4 Maintain technology and upgrade annually.
5.4a Move computer refreshment closer to the 3-5 year cycle recommended by Department Of Education	2005-2010 with benchmarks and evaluations April through July	Annual Media and Technology Reports TCO reports	Our refreshment campaign has been well documented and publicized. This year Camp Price presented to the BOE. We also had many articles in the local newspaper and three appearances on local talk radio. This year the BOE supported full funding for refreshment. This is the first time in five years that this has occurred. Initial reports from county commissioners are positive, although some cuts are expected.
5.4b Maintain current inventory of all computers with respect to specifications put forward by system's technology team for meeting NC WISE usage requirements.	2005-2010 with benchmarks and evaluations April through July	Annual Media and Technology Reports TCO reports	As of 9/22/06, we have 362 teachers not compliant with NC Wise by our standards. We are optimistic that this will be addressed in the forthcoming local capital budget.
5.4c Maintain current inventory of all computers with respect to specifications put forward by system's technology team for meeting Exceptional Children’s information system	2005-2010 with benchmarks and evaluations April through July	Annual Media and Technology Reports TCO reports