Committee’s 1-to-1 technology plan is introduced to board

School Board
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Associate Editor

     A three-year plan that would result in 1-to-1 technology, computer to student, was detailed by district technology facilitator Curt Tauke in a presentation to the Monticello School Board Wednesday, Dec. 7.

     The presentation was an update on the progress of the Monticello Community School District’s Technology Steering Committee, during the board’s monthly work session.

     One-to-one means each student, throughout the district, will have access to a school-owned computer throughout the school day. Whereas many students today need to go to a computer lab in order to get computer-based work done, students will carry the computer throughout the day to access text materials, store assignments, etc.

     Tauke said that, if approved by the board, the plan will officially be rolled out for the 2018-19 school year. Prior to that, he said, the district would take a number of steps according to a timeline that is as follows:

     Summer 2017: Update infrastructure (wireless systems in all building) and begin professional development.

     School year 2017-18: Professional development.

     Summer 2018: Purchase 1-to-1 devices (currently Google Chromebooks, at about $200 apiece, are being discussed), continue professional development, and test and tweak infrastructure.

     School year 2018-19: Roll out 1-to-1 technology, continue professional development.

     Also on hand from the tech committee was technology coach Kim Carlson, who answered a board question about whether studies have shown success in other districts that have rolled out a 1-to-1 plan.

     “There is tons of research that shows this has a positive impact on student learning,” Carlson said. “They are learning more, and they are becoming better researchers.”

     The plan is not complete, but when it is it will be presented to the board as part of the district’s Strategic Operating Plan. A board vote on the plan would likely take place in the spring.

     The Technology Steering Committee, which has 12 members, is one of four that has been formed as part of the district’s Strategic Operating Plan. Through a series of meetings with different community groups, priorities of district needs were narrowed down into four categories: communication, technology, facilities and instruction.

     Superintendent Brian Jaeger passed out a template of strategy in each of the categories. The template sheet includes spaces for action steps, year of implementation, monitoring/progress, and the responsible person or group. The committees will be using the template as their plans are formulated in the coming years.

     Also at the meeting, Jaeger handed out a list of facility projects, which the Facilities Committee was asked to rank in terms of priority. Jaeger discussed how the committee has ranked the projects in terms of priority, and which ones need more immediate attention.

     Elementary principal Denny Folken then presented on behalf of the district’s nine-member Safety Committee, which has had five meetings. Among the topics it has covered are updated emergency procedures and which ones are needed to address first. Among those are lockdown procedures, evacuation/relocation centers, intruder/hostage situations related to the entrances at the buildings, and locating/training crisis team members (first aid and CPR training, etc.).

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