4/26/07
OTES Technology
Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Jef Hamlin, Bernie Lucas, Cathy Lucas, Becky Smith, Vicki Bergeron, Matt Cyr
Discussion of Staff Technology Survey:
The survey results were very informative. They showed that OTES has made progress in many areas, and also clearly outlined places for improvement. Thanks to all for their input. The following is how the results sort of clustered together.
**If you would like to read the actual survey results, see one of the above members for their copy, or stop by my office and I’d be happy to let you go over them.
1. C.O.W.
-We need to place a sign-up sheet to be left in a common place so that people know where the C.O.W. is…..(the sign-up sheet currently stays with the C.O.W.).
-We need to try harder at keeping the C.O.W. neat and organized—including keeping the charger cables neatly wrapped, and the top of the C.O.W. free of clutter.
-LC1 and LC2 rep’s are surveying their teachers about a possible way to increase availability of the C.O.W.s to their teachers.
-Teachers need to remember to return the C.O.W. to the “pasture” when your signed up time is done.
-Matt is going to try and place Open Office on the laptops before the end of the year. OpenOffice files are compatible with Microsoft Office files, so the laptops will be able to run Word, Powerpoint and Excel files.
-Every problem must be e-mailed through Tech. Support. (cc Matt the e-mail—if it is something he can problem solve, he will try to help out Tim/Jef, otherwise, Tim/Jef are the Tech. Support)
-If you do not get a response within 24 hours, send another e-mail (cc matt again), or call Jef directly on his cel phone—557-9019
-Jef/Tim are working towards having at least one dedicated day to spend in our building.
-E-mail…..Jef is still trying to determine of the new Exchange Server will work for us. If so, we’ll be using this district-wide this fall. Regardless, there will be professional development offered for staff to learn the “ins and outs” of productive e-mail use, regardless of the medium.
-Type To Learn 3 on laptops……this will happen over the summer. The entire system (server and desktops), must be updated for it to work properly.
-BESS google image block….Jef is looking into why this still happens. There are also several options for teachers being able to have unblocked access to the Internet…more information on this once the appropriate solution has been decided.
-Wireless Internet access downstairs……we can currently do this, but only with the C.O.W……this is a project that may happen over the next school year, making our school virtually 100% wireless!!!
-USB Flash Drives……upstairs is all set…..LC1 and LC2 reps are asking their teachers if they need a USB flash drive, and telling Matt.
-Upstairs Computer Lab…..Jef may be installing a terminal server, making this computer lab function 110% better! We’ll even be able to add as many computers as the lab will fit!! I think in the long-run, it’ll actually free up more laptop use since the lab will be more reliable.
-We will not be using Pinnacle after this school year. Web2School (our current attendance database) will be our new grading program. The last inservice day (June 14) will be used to train staff on how to use the program. There will also be more learning opportunities with this in the fall.
-Many staff members indicated that they really liked the district classes offered. This is something that Judy’s committee is looking into expanding over the next year.
-There will be a
**There will not be another OTES tech. Meeting this year. Please be thinking about joining up in the fall!! We’ll set our schedule during one of the inservice days in August.