Tech Levy Frequently Asked Questions

August 25, 2009

Has the district hired an Information Services Supervisor? 

Yes. Pete Vander Meulen will be joining us on September 1, filling the position vacated by Ed Doherty.   Pete is the President and CEO of Diversint (a local technology company) and an active participant in the community.  He will work for the district four days a week.

I've heard the levy will support Educational Technology Assistants.  What is their role?  Have they been hired?

For technology to benefit teachers and students, it needs to be kept up and running.  In the past, we have struggled to provide adequate support for schools in this area.  Funds from the technology levy are being used to hire five Educational Technology Assistants.  These positions are being allocated as follows: one per two elementary schools, one for both middle schools, and one for Mount Vernon High School.  The Educational Technology Assistants will be responsible for providing the first-line of response to hardware and software issues.  All five positions have been filled.  We interviewed some very capable applicants and are pleased to welcome: 

Daniel Crowley – Mount Baker and Little Mountain Schools

Andrew Spangler – Jefferson and Centennial Schools

Jake Young – Washington and Madison Schools

Heather Pendregan – LaVenture and Lincoln Schools

Donald Rogers – Mount Vernon High School

The Educational Technology Assistants began work on August 20 and have been busy helping make certain that teacher and student stations are ready for the start of school.

Are student computer stations installed and ready to go?

Most will be able to be used when school starts.  The machines and switches are installed in classrooms.  Our challenge has been a place to house the new server designated to run the "thin client" computer stations.   We have been working toward a new data center on the second floor of the maintenance building.  It is nearing completion and the new server is ready to be moved in.  Once that happens, student stations will be fully operational.  We hope this work will be completed by the second week of September.

How about the high school Career and Technology Education computer lab?

It will be ready for students when school starts.  It currently awaits installation of software and the proper graphics card.

Are the new teacher computer stations installed?

Yes. We have replaced the oldest computers in the district and the new ones are installed and ready to go.

What is the status of projectors and document cameras for teachers?

As soon as the electrical work and wiring is complete the installation will go very quickly.  We anticipate that everything will be done by the middle of September.

What about the infrastructure work?

This behind-the-scenes work will continue through the first two months of school.  It will not be obvious to users other than perhaps some increased network speed as new switches come online.

What about professional development to ensure staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to use the new technology in their teaching?

Teachers receiving new equipment in grades 3, 6, and middle school science and social studies attended a full day of training in late August.  Monday open labs are scheduled at the District Office for teachers to work on curriculum projects or learn more about how to use their new equipment.  The Educational Technology Assistants will be available to assist teachers and staff with software problems and using their new equipment.  We have subscribed to an online professional development service to provide just-in-time answers to questions about software use.