To get you up to speed, here is an overview of the process we are working on as it stands so far:
- The need for a policy or initiative is identified by someone in the school community. This "someone" might be students, teachers, board members, administrators, parents, work groups, or non-school member with a specific official interest (like the fire marshal)
- The individual or group of individuals makes the need for policy known to the appropriate policy-forming body (administrator, board, or work group)
- The policy-forming body researches the need, seeks input from appropriate stakeholders, and drafts a policy that addresses the need.
- Final Draft Policy is brought to the board for review during a regularly scheduled meeting. Board checks to see that the process whereby the policy was drafted is sound, makes revisions as needed and posts the Final Draft Policy to the website for public comment for a 3 week period.
- Board reviews public comment and makes revisions to the draft as needed.
- Board votes to institute the policy Board Secretary posts the policy to the documents page of the website.
The first policy we’d like you to review is the Use of Technology Policy. The reason we are using this policy as our test case is that we are (finally!) about to open the computer lab and need to have all our ducks in a row regarding the use of this room before we open it. In addition to the policy, Karen is working with teachers to set up schedules and procedures for using and supervising room. In another part of this process, teachers will work with students to identify qualified student representatives who will become members of the tech team. The tech team is responsible for maintaining tech equipment, software and infrastructure. This work group is headed up by Dave Cebula and is supervised by Karen, our administrator in charge of school operations.
So please review the policy and let us know what you think! We’ve included a box on the feedback form that you can check if it is ok with you that we post your comment as part of the “feedback synopsis” that we will publish at the end of each feedback period. And thanks again for your input!
In addition to the official stuff, I’d like to take some time here to thank all those who have been involved in the tech support for the school. These volunteers are the reason we have phones, computers, printers and copiers, Internet capability, wireless support, tech security, and the many other technological amenities that we enjoy in the school. Dave and Brad in particular have been working on the tech infrastructure since the very beginning of the school and have put in many hours late into the night during the remodel to make sure the right wiring was in place before the walls were closed up. In addition, they have schlepped around huge piles of donated computers, checked each one and installed upgrades, written grants for tech support and who knows what else. (as an aside, Brad built the first website and continues to work with webmaster Mark Waggoner and Karen on the web architecture) So next time you see any of these people, give them a round of applause for their great work and dedication to making this school a great place to learn and work!
Dave Cebula, parent with professional skills in tech systems development and support
Brad Stec, parent with professional skills in tech systems development and support
Eric Roper, parent with connections to a major donor of our tech equipment
Mark Bailey, parent with professional skills in technology in the classroom
Computer Lab facilities
These volunteers all worked on installing lab furnishings:
Tom Aurant
Steve O’Day
Fred Schrader
Dave Cebula
Eric Anderson
Josh Lichtner
So that’s it for this month. Coming up next month – our exciting new Purchasing Policy!
Remember, please review the
Use of Technology Policy and give your feedback at http://www.fgcschool.org/feedback
