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Cleve Hill technology improves but Web site still a challenge
Cleveland Hill Superintendent Gordon Salisbury announced that the district is a leader in its computer technology and online accessibility compared to many schools throughout New York State, but board members still feel improvements could be made in the district's Web site.
Salisbury said at last Wednesday's board meeting that he found Cleveland Hill is far beyond many of the "regularities" found in a recent New York State Board of Regents survey about the use of technology by schools throughout the state.
The survey stated that many districts lack a five-year plan for technology. The results include: the average student spends less than two hours per week on a computer, teachers feel comfortable handling basic skills such as e-mail, Microsoft Word and Power Point, and teachers are not proficient in data research, iPod casting, blogging and basic Web site design.
The study also found that most schools around the state do not have Broadband, which makes them less capable online, and without access to Public Broadcast System (PBS) which also cuts down the possibilities of distributing information to students.
In addition, Salisbury noted the survey concluded that administrators are using technology much more because of the need for data research, and to maintain accountability with the state and for other mandates.
"We're ahead of that and we're looking pretty good, but we still need to challenge ourselves to do more and more," Salisbury said.
Board members began that challenge when several of them noted that although the new Web page installed last year is a vast improvement, it needs more capabilities and accessibility for students and teachers, updates on a consistent level and for staff members to become more involved in its content.
Board member Julie Horton was concerned that some teachers make information and homework available on the Web site, while others do not, so expectations change from class to class and grade to grade.
Horton also said the district needs to keep better tabs on updating the content of Web pages and basic information. All 64 Web pages are used by the staff, but some are less frequently updated than others, according to Horton.
"To have a Web site where in March it still has Christmas and Halloween stuff on it, it's embarrassing," Horton said. "I guess it's a little disappointing from a parent's standpoint that we can't connect with a teacher because there is so much going on and to know, and that's an easy way to do it."
Board President Robert Polino said with the future of communication revolving around computers, the district must develop a plan for teachers to advance their Internet and Web skills.
"The community will start demanding it because there're articles in the paper about districts that can access their kids' grades on the Web site," Board Vice President Thomas Kulaszewski said. "If other districts are doing it, people are going to say when is Cleve Hill going to do it."
Lawrence King, director of Technology, said the technology exists for these initiatives, but a staff support structure needs to be built through training and development. He also hopes that knowledgeable students can help teachers not as comfortable with the Internet.
"The Web site is something on my list and I really want to make it better," King said. "We have some teachers out there going in and doing great work with relevant and timely information, but some still need to be reached."
Salisbury hopes to empower teachers who have embraced technology as teacher leaders to assist those not as competent on the computer.
"Larry has to get it across that it's not if you want to do it, it's when you are going to do it," Polino said. "It's expected by the board and the board stands behind Larry."
King, in his first year in the newly created position, has so far overseen the installation of 110 new IMAC computers and replacement of the middle school and high school student file server. This year, students at all levels have very successfully been introduced to the new operating systems, and by next year, could access personal internal accounts on the Web site from home, King said.
He also hopes to soon establish technology committees to write new competency expectations for students, establish focal points to improve instruction and write a plan for the district, all of which should help address some of the board members' concerns.
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