Laurel Nokomis School

School Advisory Committee

Minutes – November 16, 2004

 

Present:  Co-Chairperson Lisa Callaghan, Co-Chairperson Carolyn Reichard, Paula Cimillo, Kathleen Day, Nicholas Day, Stephen Dembinski, Michael Deming, Sue DeSmidt, Nancy Dubin, Richard Holder, Linda Johnson, Deanna Lawton, Joe Marisi, Maggie McKay, Kelli Ottman, Tanya Poleschner, Jean Thompson, Cody Johnson, Paige McGrath, Maggie Rieth, Brad Shuette, Linda Hart

 

Handouts:                School Recognition Funds – Outcome

                                District Technology Vision – Guiding Principles

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Review and Approval of October 5, 2004 minutes, submitted by Paula Cimillo and Tanya Poleschner

 

New Member: Paige McGrath was welcomed.

 

LNS Technology – Maggie Reith (Presenter). 

Maggie gave an overview of technology here at LNS, including what technology is available to staff and students, from programs, on-line tools, to mobile wireless labs.

 

Inventory:                Total computers:                      754

                                Wintel:                                     281

                                Apple/MAC:                           473

                                Laptops:                                  94 teacher 135 student

                                Computers in classrooms:       156

                                Lab Computers:                       200

                                Non-Modern:                          292 (5 years old, no Internet access)

* LNS is currently being retrofitted for new computers.

The goal is for all teachers to have laptops.  The 1st third of teachers received laptops last year, the 2nd third are receiving this year, and the last third will receive next year.

 

Issues:     -               We need to re-institute elementary Tech program.  Teachers aren’t comfortable going into the labs.

-                      Staff training: public school technology funds are $8000.  There is no funding for training of staff.

-                      Equipment replacement: Grant to get new machines.

-                      Equity: Previously recognition $$ bought computers; some teachers seem to have more than others.

 

Technology Guest – Linda Hart (Volunteer/Parent)

Linda shared results of the home access technology surveys. 

 

-                      90% of students/teachers have computers at home.

-                      85% have Internet access.

-                      Most students/teachers use windows and Microsoft Word.

-                      Most teachers feel comfortable with word processing but not w/spreadsheets, presentation software.

-                      88% of parents expressed that computer skills were very important for their child.

-                      Goal: For 100% of the school population to have computer access at home.

 

District Technology Plan: Brad Schuette (District Technology)

The Superintendent has a vision for the county that best impacts all schools and is cost-effective. Currently in the district, 56% of the computers are obsolete.  The county goal is to never have a computer that is more than 5 years old, and that computers and software are standardized across the district.

 

There will be no December meeting.

 

The meeting was adjourned. Remaining agenda items tabled for the next meeting, January 25 at 6:00pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Paula Cimillo and Tanya Poleschner

Co-Secretaries