Proposal Brief-Jennifer Ross

Scurry-Rosser ISD is seeking assistance in funding three professional positions. The

district desires to increase technology integration using its existing devices and tools
(Chromebooks, desktop computers and the internet) by employing an educational technology
specialist on each of the three campuses that will provide training and support to teachers
because the current level of technology integration would be improved with professional
development and on-site support, and therefore better prepare the district’s students for the
future.

The district currently employs a four-person technology department, which includes an

IT professional and three paraprofessionals, whose primary focus is to maintain the district's
network and equipment. With an educational technology specialist on each campus, the district
will be able to better support classroom teachers with the integration of technology into their
lessons and teaching practices. The specialists would be present on-site to provide training and
support as the campuses move toward improved technology implementation. The district is
confident to say that this goal, if met, will directly impact our students by affording them the
opportunity to participate in classes in which the technology usage helps them learn to work
cooperatively in an advanced world.

The funds from this grant will provide Scurry-Rosser ISD with the money needed to add
three positions to the district faculty. An educational technology specialist would be employed
on each of the three campuses full-time. This specialist would be present to serve and support
teachers who are using technology in their classrooms currently, and to train and support
teachers who are seeking to implement more technology into their teaching. The goal is that the
positions will become permanent, and within two years, the district will take on the responsibility
of the three salaries, which would range from $50,000-$60,000 depending on the experience of
the specialist.

A recent survey sent out to district employees reflected the need for educational
technology specialists on campuses. When asked, “On a scale of 1-10, how readily is a solution
provided when an issue arises with technology?” The average answer for the district was 5.7.
When asked, “What factors limit the degree to which you are able to use technology in your
teaching practices?”, the top two answers district-wide were “Lack of time to plan” and
“inability to troubleshoot when problems arise.” Scurry-Rosser, though small and rural, strives to
provide its students with a high quality, comprehensive education which prepares students for
life beyond graduation. The district recognizes that, although it possesses sufficient access to
technology and devices, the survey mentioned above reflects a need for support for the
integration of technology into teaching practice. The district labors under budget constraints that
prevent it from funding new positions due to its size, low tax base and other financial needs.
Therefore, although the need for educational technology specialist exists, the monies to pay them
simply does not. The project director for this proposal is Gail Crow, Scurry-Rosser ISD
curriculum director.