Westfield School District

Status Report from the Parent Teacher Council Technology Committee Presented to: Westfield Board of Education Presented by: Mark Friedberg Chair, PTC Technology Committee 13 September 2011

Agenda

Committee Goals and Objectives Committee Members - Who We Are Findings Proposals Plans

22

PTC Tech Committee: Goals and Objectives

Develop recommendations for technology programs that will have a positive impact on Westfield Public Schools at all grade levels Solicit feedback from teachers, principals, administrators, and local PTOs Report recommendations to the PTC Determine the cost and benefits of the technology programs

33

PTC Tech Committee Members Parents and Administration (2010-11)

Parents from Each of the 10 Schools Jennifer Siegel Franklin Albert Paglialunga Jefferson Sumeet Kishnani McKinley Barbara Maguire Tamaques Jay Macry Washington Mark Friedberg Wilson Greg Wolf Edison Charlie Bergman Roosevelt Dominic DiGiorgio Westfield High School <Vacant> Lincoln District Brian Auker Chief Technology Officer Lorre Korecky Community Relations

44

Three Task Forces for District-Wide IT Initiatives

Long-Term, Multi-Year District-Wide IT Programs and Initiatives

55

WF Student-to-Computer Ratio is Higher than the State Average of 3.3

Trend: Our Student-to-Computer Ratio Is Rising Sharply Last 3 years: Spending for new computer equipment has been cut by over 80% 70% of the District Wide Installed Base of Computers are 4 years 66 or Older

Recommendations 2 Long Range Programs

Computer Purchase/Refresh Program (Timeframe 5 Years) Provide additional and replacement computers to all stakeholders in the Westfield School District such that we improve the student to computer ratio to 3.0 or lower Wireless/Mobile Computing (Timeframe 2-3 years) Design and implement a secure wireless network everywhere throughout Westfield Public Schools in order to support mobile computing. The secure wireless network will support mobile access to the public internet, school intranet, and the school private network via laptop computer, tablet computer, iPad, or any Wi-Fi enabled device.

77

Proposal: Computer Refresh Program

Description Provide additional and annual replacement computers to all stakeholders in the Westfield School District such that we lower the student to computer ratio to 3.0 or better

Justification

The statewide average for student-to-computer ratio is 3.3 Computers are no longer a nice to have amenity they are a requirement to allow students to keep pace with modern learning and research methods thus preparing them for the future. An inadequate quantity of usable computers is lowering Westfields educational school ranking.

Cost $500-$1,000 per seat.

1,500 additional computers (estimate) gets us to 3.0 ratio 500 replacement computers annually to maintain 3.0 ratio (estimate, assumes 6,300 students) Laptops, notebook, PCs, multi-seat, other

Benefits

Computers are an essential learning tool more computers mean more learning Better prepare students to achieve excellence Better integration of technology with curriculum Access and use of current software, collaboration, and on-line resources will provide the best, most advanced learning environment for all of our students. Timeframe 5 years

88

Proposal: Wireless/Mobile Computing

Description Design and implement a secure wireless network everywhere throughout the Westfield School District in order to support mobile computing. The secure wireless network will support mobile access to the public internet, school intranet, and the school private network via laptop computer, tablet computer, iPad, or any Wi-Fi enabled device.

Justification

As more computer and Wi-Fi enabled devices enter our school system, access to the public internet, school intranet, and the school private network will become a bottleneck. Without a wireless infrastructure, mobile computing is not a reality This project is a foundation technology to support many other IT initiatives moving forward it is sometimes considered basic IT plumbing like phone, electricity, and water

Cost $150,000-$200,000 (estimate)

Benefits

Boost student, teacher, administrator and visitor productivity (the computer is at hand - ready for use) Provide network access in large open areas, i.e., libraries, halls or theatres Goes hand-in-hand with the 3.0 student-to-computer ratio Support dynamic class sizes or flexible teaching spaces Improve sharing or utilization of computers (mobile location) Allow widespread network access for faculty and administrators Allow rapid deployment of extra networking for special events Allowing teachers and students to potentially use their own computers

Timeframe 2-3 years

99

Our Plan of Action Going Forward

Top Priority: Develop Financial Plans Board of Ed and Dr. Dolan Line item in the School Budget Capital, not expense this is yearly, recurring costs Maintenance, support and professional development

Top Priority: Develop Fundraising

1010

Almost 70% of the District Wide Installed Base of Computers are 4 years or older

Source: Office of the CTO, April 2011, Westfield School District

1111