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 in three distinct items (Sections VIII, IX, and X).  An Internet Safety Week was conducted during the 2006-07 SY. The event was open to staff, students, parents, and community members. Individual schools are responsible for maintaining a database of student AUPs. Students who do not have an AUP on file do not receive a Novell username/password.
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	The Computer Utilization Plan has been replaced with individual school Media/Technology Plans which are submitted annually and update twice per year (mid-year and end-of-year).
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	100% of our schools have at least a ½-time ITF on their campus each day. 100% of our schools have a full-time media coordinator. 11 schools have at least a part-time media assistant. And, 3 schools have full-time technology assistants. Strategies to obtain more staffing positions to support the IMPACT model are currently being researched. Funding continues to be a barrier for implementing the IMPACT model for staffing at all of our schools.
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	NC WISE training will take place prior to Feb., 2008. The director of technology/media will work with the NC WISE coordinator to arrange staff development opportunities related to spreadsheets and databases.
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	The NC WISE coordinator has established a steering committee that includes school and central office personnel. The director of technology/media and one ITF are on the committee.
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	The school system website has a link that contains pertinent information regarding NC WISE training plans and web-based training.
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	A simplified and consistent format for funding priorities is responsible for the $2M technology partnership that has been developed between the Carteret County Government and the Carteret County School System. The following documents have been used to support the technology requests: Computer replacement projections Technology Acquisition Timeline
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	Representatives from NC WISE have conducted a site visit and hardware/bandwidth tests. The director of technical support and the superintendent have received notification that Carteret County Schools is ready for the implementation of NC WISE.
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	The NC WISE coordinator is working with the assistant superintendent and director of technical support to create a contingency budget for NC WISE needs. The director of technology/media has researched printer needs by contacting neighboring school systems and collaborating with the NC WISE coordinator and assistant superintendent.
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	A centralized e-mail server will be installed during the 2007-08 SY as a result of the $2M partnership with Carteret County Government.
5.3b Migrate library automation to a centralized, web-based solution.	2006	Adherence to Completion Timetables and efficiency of migration	Follett’s Destiny was implemented in all schools during the 2006-07 school year.
5.3c Maintain bandwidth at levels that support needs of users.	Adherence to Completion Timetables and efficiency of migration	Bandwidth tests NCWise reports	During the summer of 2006, Carteret County Schools committed to a 3-year contract w/ Time Warner Cable. This deal substantially increased connectivity among schools and to the Internet. NC WISE bandwidth tests have been conducted and approved. During the 2007-08 SY, three additional schools will be upgraded to a 10 mbps duplex connection.
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	The partnership established between Carteret County Government and Carteret County Schools has provided the school system with a realistic computer refreshment cycle for the upcoming years.
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	AMTR data has revealed, in the past, that many of the school system’s administrative computers would not be NC WISE compliant upon its implementation. These needs were addressed on individual school Media/Technology Plans and funding was requested and approved during the County Government partnership. 100 % of the administrative computers will be compliant prior to the implementation of NC WISE in March, 2008.
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	During the 2006-07 SY, key Exceptional Children’s personnel received laptops through Carteret County’s Technology/Media program. These laptops provided EC personnel with the ability to properly use the CCAS system to manage their information/data.