Please note, only 83 folks took the survey - the participants included:
36 teachers
3 principals
4 staff people
1 student
38 tax payers
1 person who just likes to take surveys.
Brace yourself, there is a lot to read - and this is just one question!
Q: Suppose the system cannot use capital funds to restore pay. The current technology appropriation request asks for ~ $2 million for technology expenditures. The current plan is to supply all schools with enough desktop computers to have two (2) labs. Some schools will have enough for three labs. The plan also reallocates SMART boards among the schools. (Pick all that apply):
It's a great plan! 3.7%
It is a great plan if it has the support of the teachers. 16%
This is a huge expenditure for the system - go slow! 42%
This is a necessary expense and we must invest now! 6%
Each school should decide what kind of technology they need. 63%
I want to be sure every student has access to technology. 30.5
Other:
1. Schools should have a say in the technology that is placed in their school -- especially since in the process of gaining unwanted hardware, school-based purchases are being removed.
2. Use more TA's like the medical industry uses CNA-II's. A nurse typically supervises 4 to 8 CNA-I's and II's, so a teacher can supervise up to a similar number of TA's and student activities. Seek legislation changes that make this possible. Look at outsourcing testing to maintain testing integrity. Support TA's that want higher education, i.e. to become teachers with full pay and benefits and develop a program to work them into the system as teachers when they complete their program.
3. This is Dr. Stellar's plan. Drill and Kill software is not researched based instructional technology. We should be investing in Smartboards, slates and teacher training and support.
4. Most schools don't have enough room for all of the children they currently hold, why add labs when we need classrooms?
5. The smart boards are a waste of money that is needed elsewhere.
6. I'm not convinced that computer labs are the best path to the future. What's ahead, and what I see at more and more school systems (check out Surry County Schools, a district about Burke County's size, for a recent example), are programs that provide computers for each student. Does the school district's technology plan show an evolution toward that ultimate goal? I'm concerned that investing in computer labs now will consume funds that will be needed later, and that the labs themselves won't fit into the schools' future needs. Right now, $2 million would buy laptops for half the children in BCPS. Despite those concerns, I still believe we must make the capital investment in computers. Burke County is woefully behind other districts in providing adequate technology to support computer-aided instruction. We do our students a disservice when we don't equip them with the tools and skills for the time when they're adults and pursuing careers and other involvement in the community.
7. It appears the only board members concerned with the technology needs of our students are Mr. Buff and Ms. Sain. Are the rest of you trying to use technology funds to fulfill campaign promises?
8. Standardization and purchasing in bulk are all great ideas and purchasing in bulk can still be accomplished while giving principals and teachers some say in what is purchased.
9. The instructional supply budget was cut by 60% this year. Every budget and program across this county has been cut. We spent a total of $1 million dollars on the capital budget last year which included technology and building. If anything you should be cutting back in this area also. Pay the attorneys and bank it, or restore the instructional supply budget. We have done fine for years in technology and provided better scores ever year. Mr. Buff is the reason the technology program got cut in the first place. Specifically his agenda toward the previous technology director. Not until Mr. Sherill came did we have the urgency to purchase SMART technologies, which is not a bad thing in theory, but it is part of the previous boards agenda to keep the employees of this county suppressed. Just like investing in the "Energy" conservation program. $24 K a month or $1 million dollars. Don't you get it? Don't you get it? Stellar is loyal to those that hired him. If you have learned anything over the last two years is that the previous board is not for students, capital building, or technology....just for themselves. They tied up all the monies in contracts. Compromise, huh! Count me out, I am for people and doing the right thing. Restore the supplements and hours. Attrition will happen and non-tenured staff may be let go. Sorry for the long rambling response, I am passionate about what I do. Come talk to the principals in person.
10. I teach at an elementary school and we do NOT need another computer lab. SMART boards are desired in all classrooms and therefore I feel technology funds to be spent should be a site based decision.
11. Take another look at this with input from the school level and prioritize so purchases can be made in stages if necessary. However, we need to recognize that the ultimate responsibility for recommendations on what to buy lies with the tech people who understand things such as system-wide compatibility, etc... Principals and school staff need to express what they think is practical and needed for their students, tech staff need to explain how that may actually translate into what best meets those needs and the overall technology goals for the school system. We can't afford to allow our students to be left behind, but we need to make wise decisions on spending our limited dollars.
12. Ask the teachers of each school what is necessary for each classroom. Would additional computers in each classroom (especially in the lower grades) be more beneficial than an additional lab? The lower grade students must wait turns to use class computers for AR tests and when time runs out, it is gone. I discourage rushing into throwing monies toward an idea without supportive data the end result is NEEDED.BTW: does the schools have enough system to support the proposed smart boards and computers?
13. It's not a very fair plan!
14. Happy Cows give more milk.....Well cared for Chickens lay more eggs.......high morale among teachers and school personnel produce better test scores and increases the learning of their students...typically, computer labs are a babysitting service to allow teachers to teach those who need extra help. No computer can take the place of a teacher. The teacher will remain around only if the administration DOES not "mess" with their time or money! Computers and smart boards will become obsolete unless you can ensure us the money will be there next year for upgrades. Laptops which are mobile can go to the students. It takes staff to operate a computer lab and they have been cut! Spending 2 mil. on technology at this time is absolutely ridiculous!
15. Teachers should be able to give input - not just the principals. We desperately need new technology at our school but the teachers should be asked what is effective and how could the money be used at our specific schools - everything is not the same county wise. We also need computers updated in the classrooms.
16. I think the needs of each school should be assessed individually. Put each school on similar budget (doesn't have to be exact) and ask them for proposals on what technology they would want to purchase. Then combine all proposals and see if buying in bulk still an option and cost savings there. You can give them options on what to purchase with cost of each item rather than leaving it open ended if you need to.
17. The problem with a lot of this technology is that we, as teachers, are not properly trained on how to use the technology appropriately. We need certified technology teachers to run these computer labs in the schools. At our elementary school, we have an assistant who is the computer teacher and the students' allotted time is spent playing games on the computer. These children need computer instruction! Also, we now have 2 smart boards and have had a 30 minute training session during one of our planning periods. NOT enough! We need appropriate training and appropriate people to use the equipment! More equipment does no good if it is not used effectively.
18. Principals and teachers should brainstorm what is best for their schools technology needs. X amount of dollars should be allocated-then decisions made without others included. If decisions can not be made, then "weeding" should occur. Apparently, that staff is not there for the betterment of the students. As you all should see now, the weak systems will come to the top-then deal with it. However, pay restoration (so we will then know that what we truly tried to do-keep teachers employed)vs buyout and paying for attorneys that took advantage of an already BAD situation-and classified staff hours should be the first priority.
19. More SMART Boards...less PCs. This will reach more students where they need it most...in the classroom.
20. We don't need a "one size fits all" plan.
21. Evaluate the technology needs, and consider alternative means for supplying the computer equipment. There are many sources of re certified/refurbished equipment which can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of brand new equipment and have plenty of life in them. This includes Desktops, laptop/notebooks, and monitors. Following this route may be enough to equip all the schools and still potentially have a few bucks left over.
22. Site-based decision with input from Director of Technology
23. We also need to make sure we have enough money to support the technology we fund. We need to do our RESEARCH and make sure we are getting what we need and what was can afford in several years. We have LCD projectors in high schools that when the bulbs burn out they cost $400.00 a piece to replace.... that makes the technology useless!!!!
24. Some schools are not as familiar with the technology available and how it can be used. Having them decide not to get technology should not be an option, but $$ needs to be set aside as part of this to do training
25. It is a given that students must have access to technology. It is a given that students must be able to use technology effectively. However, no one seems to mention problems that come with these givens. SMART boards are amazing--another given--but what happens when the technology doesn't work, or crashes, and the teacher's entire lesson plan in on it? What happens when a projector bulb blows and there are no replacements because they are so expensive? As we look at investing in new technology, we MUST make sure we have people/methods in place to support and maintain existing technology and thereby maintain strong instructional time for the students.
26. Each school needs to establish a technology committee that includes admins, teachers, parents, system technology experts, and outside technology experts. There are many businesses and industries in the county who have IT experts who can help guide the system on the purchase of appropriate technology. We need to address hardware, software, space issues, and electrical infrastructure issues at each school. If you do not provide adequate training for the teachers and teacher assistants, the equipment will sit idle and the money will have been wasted.
