CUSD Technology: February 2013

Tech Cabinet Minutes

2/7/13 8:00 – 10:00

In Attendance: Michael Ecker, Rick Lewis, Chad Lund, Rob Nye, Sharon St. Clair, Matt Steitz, Richard Tubbs

Multimedia integration – What does that mean for Sage Creek? Meeting 2/8/13 at 1:00 with Rick Keskey, Larry Leon (GAFCON) and Cesar, and maybe Rob Nye, to discuss this issue.
Standards-Based Software – Sharon will create Matt Steitz and Bill Lord a log in for My Access so they can see how CHS teachers are using the program. It is on every MSSA’s agenda and middle school teachers are sharing prompts, which is helping to create more collaboration across the district. Is it possible for Minnia and/or Lisa to attend an MSSA for assistance? Michael Ecker, as the 6-8 English administrator, will invite them to the next few MSSA meetings.
Infrastructure – V-Brick (broadcasting system) would like a new contract for CHS, Poinsettia, and Sage Creek. Rick Lewis will need to talk to Doug Green about his needs.
Communications – Board Policy 1114 on Social Media Guidelines directly addresses Facebook. This will be shared with the Social Media Guidelines document, after the Tech Cabinet has reviewed/approved it.
Prop P Update – AT&T will finish connectivity between Sage Creek and the DO by 2/11/13.

Tech Plan Subcommittee Discussion (click here for the minutes from this meeting)

iSafe – At the K-5 Principals meeting on 2/11/13 and the 6-12 Principals meeting on 2/12/13, Keith Holley will again present iSafe and why we need to cover this curriculum. He will require all principals to report how they will implement the program at their sites before the end of the meetings.
Student Tech Standards – Sharon will create an assessment in DataDirector for entering student skill levels by grade level. She will work with two teachers to ensure ease of use. This will be completed before the next Tech Cabinet Meeting on March 7, 2013.
Tech Plan Benchmarks

Tech Cabinet will revise Social Media Guidelines and share out with all district staff
Some of our School Loop goals are pretty lofty and will work towards meeting them as best we can in lieu of teacher contract.

Elementary Lab Aides – The elementary sites are concerned that the five district-paid lab aides are assigned to one school only, leaving four other schools with no lab aid support. Rob and Rick will follow up on this issue.
District wide licenses and support staff to manage them

Reading Counts, English in a Flash, SuccessMaker, Compass Learning accounts will be discussed after the lab aides issue is resolved.
BrainPop and Discovery Learning – Sharon will look up the cost of a district wide account vs. site specific accounts. Can these be a part of e-rate?

Wi-fi – recommend sites purchase AP units rather than any other device. Rob and Rick will review the list of needs by site.
Standardizing Tech Purchases

We need to get an inventory of the hardware across the district and then sit down to review it. Rick will get the inventory and will sit down with Rob to discuss the possibility of a refresh program.

Instruction and Engagement Discussion (click here for minutes from this meeting)

How to engage possibly destructive kids to use their powers for good rather than evil?

How do we gage who these kids are?
Create a programming course at the secondary level to see who might be interested
Robotics team
Right now – they are TA for teachers who have assigned labs?
Will need to continue the discussion!

K-5 kids – they will have site accounts with user names and passwords that change yearly to avoid unauthorized use at other sites.
Individual student sign ons will start with grades 6-12 in the Fall

Social Media – review social media guidelines and share them with administrators

E-rate update – Going to the board on 2/13/13 to renew contract with AT&T and Verizon. We will have a 5-year contract with AT&T to considerably increase our WAN.

CUSD Technology