bemidji area schools technology plan
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Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
2013 – 2015 Revision
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 3
Rationale ......................................................................................................................... 3 Goals and Objectives of the Plan .................................................................................... 3 Highlights of the Plan ..................................................................................................... 4 Benefits of the Plan ......................................................................................................... 4
ASSUMPTIONS ................................................................................................................ 6 THE PLAN ........................................................................................................................ 7
I. Student Access ............................................................................................................... 7 II. Support and Training .................................................................................................. 9
III. Standards .................................................................................................................. 11 IV. Student Assessment .................................................................................................. 12 V. Community/Family Access and Support ................................................................. 13
VII. Video......................................................................................................................... 15 VIII. Communications .................................................................................................... 16
IX. Student Records System........................................................................................... 17 X. Administrative Systems ............................................................................................. 18 XI. Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 19
XII. Obsolescence Planning............................................................................................ 20
XIII. Inventory ................................................................................................................ 21 XIV. Budget ..................................................................................................................... 22
Tech Budget .............................................................................................................. 22
Appendix A – Technical Infrastructure ........................................................................ 24 LANs ................................................................................................................................. 24
WAN ................................................................................................................................. 25 Internet / Intranet............................................................................................................... 25
Telephone Systems .......................................................................................................... 27 Appendix B – Disaster Recovery ................................................................................... 28 I. District-Wide Data Protection ...................................................................................... 28 II. Core System Hardware Recovery ............................................................................... 28 Network Hardware ............................................................................................................ 29
Administrative Hardware .................................................................................................. 29
Inter/Intranet Services Hardware ...................................................................................... 29
III. Telephone Services .................................................................................................... 30 Appendix C – Acceptable Use ........................................................................................ 31 Appendix D – Technology Scope and Sequence ........................................................... 32
Technology Scope and Sequence for Grades 1 – 5 ....................................................... 32
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Rationale
Independent School District #31, the Bemidji Area Schools, has used personal
computers in the classroom curriculum and for administrative support functions for over
twenty years. Rapid changes in technology make it challenging to keep pace with
emerging technologies that will benefit our learners. Students are exposed to interactive
technologies such as video, computers and multimedia outside of the school setting. As
we advance into the 21st Century schools must reevaluate past and current teaching
practices. We must study and revise those practices. We need to repurpose existing
inventories, assess ways to take advantage of emerging technological tools, incorporate
them into the curriculum and, in keeping with the District Mission, prepare our learners
to succeed in our diverse and changing world.
Students attending Bemidji Schools now compete for a living with students not
only within our community or state or even our country but worldwide. This becomes
even more evident with the ubiquitous role the Internet plays in the lives of students
today. Our students must not merely be able to survive in a highly technical society-but
to excel. In order for them to do so, we must provide them with experiences that will
equip them for the future.
Familiar technologies of print, film and television have merged with the
technologies of the computer and telephone. Classrooms can now connect to valuable
instructional resources never before possible. Networks are the carriers of those
communications. Thus we need, as a District, to agree to maintain our network and the
support structure to help our students and staff access and utilize those vital resources.
Goals and Objectives of the Plan
This plan provides a system for planning, evaluating, acquiring, managing and
supporting the use of technology-based instructional and administrative hardware and
software. Its scope includes textual and audiovisual transmission media (cable, radio
waves, etc.), computers and computer-related technology, instructional information
resources, together with their required support structures. Specific objectives of the plan
are to:
Continue the ongoing District technology planning process.
Enhance student achievement through integrated use of technology.
Describe a basic level of technology-based resources for the District.
Identify short-term infrastructure and equipment needs.
Provide students and staff with increased and appropriate access to technology.
Identify staffing and training needs.
Provide a structure for future technology acquisition and implementation.
Provide methods of assessing measurable benefits from the deployment of
technology within our organization.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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Highlights of the Plan
Addresses equitable access for students, staff and families.
Maintains a Technology department as well as local technology committees at
schools and programs to implement discretionary elements of the plan.
Improves student access to technology significantly through the installation of up-
to-date technology throughout the buildings.
Further unites all computer and technology functions throughout the District in a
network to facilitate communication and shared resources.
Provides all teachers and support staff with access to computer workstations.
Provides access to Internet for students, staff and community members.
Emphasizes and supports technology staff development and implementation of
the resources as curriculum tools.
Provides appropriate technical support to all staff.
Provides access to timely, accurate data on a central administrative database via
the District network.
Links parents and community members to the data they need.
Annually reviews, evaluates and adjusts the plan.
Benefits of the Plan
Enhances the learning environment for all learners.
Motivates students and faculty.
Provides technological and academic skill development, remediation and
enrichment at appropriate developmental levels for all learners.
Provides access to the global community from the classroom.
Increases staff productivity and efficiency allowing for more teacher/student
interaction.
Improves communication among staff, parents and the community.
Provides a comprehensive, staff-endorsed blueprint to guide technology in the
District.
Provides improved support services, efficiency and productivity.
Reduces various costs by allowing resources to be shared via networks.
Allows for the collection and disbursement of data, which allows the District
improved decision making and planning processes.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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INTRODUCTION
This plan, updated annually, addresses the need for technology support,
acquisition, training and development, with recommendations for meeting these needs.
Administrative technology and infrastructure (networks, telecommunications and facility
concerns) are also addressed.
Implementation of the plan has required flexibility since the level and method of
funding has varied. However, most of the technology purchases have been a result of a
well-supported local referendum that was passed in 1997. Lease/purchase agreements,
federal and state programs or grants, foundation grants, business partnerships or
increased capital outlay expenditures are also considered as revenue sources for funding
the plan. The plan has been implemented over the past seventeen years and has required
ongoing evaluation and revision as well as an annual budget for maintenance, upgrading
and support.
This current plan provides guidance for PreK-12 technology decision-making.
There are now three “working” plans at each level (elementary, middle and high school)
that serve as the blueprints for technology activities in the schools. These plans are
revised yearly and detail specific purchases and implementation of hardware, software
and training for the coming year.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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ASSUMPTIONS
1. This plan will continue to be appropriately funded.
2. The Plan will be reviewed and modified annually.
3. Based on the Bemidji Area Schools’ mission “to empower each learner to succeed in
our diverse and changing world” the District sees educational technology as being a
necessary and integral part of each learner’s success in a competitive world.
4. Technology should be used as a tool in a student’s daily learning experiences to
enhance creativity and critical thinking skills.
5. As with any recurring expense, such as textbooks or transportation, technology must
be funded on an ongoing annual basis.
6. Community Involvement
The surrounding community must have access to District technology in part
through Community Education activities.
The community will support technology in the District via volunteer efforts and
business partnerships.
7. The District is prepared to offer leadership and vision in the area of educational
technology.
8. Technology Trends
Electronic textbooks are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional print.
Cloud-based computing and virtualization are becoming commonplace in
education.
Mobile technologies are changing the ways children and teachers interact, and the
way teachers deliver their lessons.
Social media and online course management software are gaining ground as a
way for schools to extend learning beyond the classroom.
9. The District will use this plan in future facility, technology and curricular planning.
10. Needs for technology-related funding will be assessed based on this plan.
11. This plan will only be successful if critical training and support are an integral part of
it, including the resources needed to:
Coordinate classes, workshops, and inservice days.
Manage systems.
Repair and replace systems.
Review software for curriculum and add new or updated versions when necessary.
Keep up with meaningful and appropriate technology trends.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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THE PLAN
To reflect the flexible nature of this document and to provide benchmarks for future
planning and progress toward goals, the following icons will be used to represent
progress made toward recommendations on a 3-year continuum:
Ongoing / Complete
To be completed / implemented within 1 year
To be completed / implemented within 2 years
To be completed / implemented within 3 years
I. Student Access
Need:
Provide students with access to a variety of technologies at each level.
Objectives:
Learners will have access to multiple forms of technology throughout their day.
Develop means to identify successful technology innovations and encourage their
widespread use across the curriculum.
Encourage student peer-to-peer tutoring and interaction.
Recommendations:
A. Minimum standard for student-use equipment: GUI; Processor: Intel Dual
Core; 4 gb RAM, 200 GB hard drive; color monitor; and Ethernet connection.
Technology Office will continue to review above standards annually.
B. Technology Coordinator, in cooperation with building site committees and
principals, is to assure that such standards are applied in the purchasing
process.
C. In each building, the Media Center will have both circulation and card catalog
systems that are available on the building network.
D. The goals set in prior District Technology Plans were specific to equipment
and use of space. Each level (elementary, middle and high school) will
establish a technology committee and will maintain an annual plan that details
the technology priorities for the coming school year. These plans will be
reviewed by the technology coordinator annually so ensure that they align
with the district goals.
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E. Due to the nature of the following facilities, special accommodations will
continue to be made: Area Learning Center, Adult Basic Education, Early
Childhood Family Education, Early Intervention Center, Community
Education, Transportation, By-Law and Jr.By-Law, and the First City School.
F. As necessary and/or possible, equipment and software will be purchased
and/or re-allocated for assistive/adaptive instructional needs.
G. The Director of Business Services in conjunction with the Technology
Coordinator will determine that local area networks in all of the buildings and
a wide area network tying the buildings together are maintained.
H. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction in coordination with the
Technology Department will develop a technology skills scope and sequence
which coordinates with curriculum reviews to:
1. Identify/recommend through the District’s design process:
a. Reassessment of all curricular areas to include technology.
b. Department/grade level plans.
c. Software/hardware that supports curriculum goals.
d. Serve as vehicle for distribution of funds.
e. Annual review, assessment of implementation, revise.
2. Integrate technology goals with curriculum planning (See Appendix F)
a. In-depth research by curriculum committees “on-cycle.”
b. Include skills that can be remedial, taught, enhanced with technology.
c. Include technology skills that will be taught in order to teach other
skills and provide support for teachers to best utilize the tools to teach
these skills.
I. Encourage field-testing and experimentation with emerging technologies and
ideas that support curriculum and student achievement goals.
1. Building Tech Committee will track and evaluate experimental programs
and share assessment results with other sites.
2. Technology Manager will oversee these programs and present progress
updates to Technology Department.
J. Technology Department will work with teaching staff to explore opportunities
to utilize online media to extend the classroom beyond the school day. This
will include online textbooks, social media and modular courseware
development tools designed to provide opportunities for students to
collaborate and learn from anywhere.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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II. Support and Training Need:
The District must continue to provide adequate training and technology support for
students and District personnel.
Objectives:
Establish a structured support and inservice plan.
Provide instructional staff with reliable access to technology.
Ensure that systems that support student instruction and student access to technology
function consistently and with few interruptions.
Recommendations:
A. Create a Technology Support department with the following personnel:
1. A Technology Coordinator responsible for the supervision and management
of the technology department and associated personnel.
2. A Computer/Communications Repair Technician responsible for servicing
computer-related hardware and communications media.
3. One Technology Integration Specialist with the responsibility for coordinating
and providing assistance and instruction for district staff. This person will be
the primary staff development resource with respect to the integration of
technology in the classroom.
4. One full time computer/network specialist at the middle school level with
responsibility for first level support and maintenance of hardware, software
and network.
5. One full time computer/network specialist at the high school level with
responsibility for first level support and maintenance of hardware, software
and network.
6. One full time computer/network specialist at the elementary level with
responsibility for first level support and maintenance of hardware, software
and network.
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B. Licensed technology support personnel:
1. Elementary, middle and high school level Media Specialists responsible for
library administrative systems, electronic media, as well as other media center
duties.
2. One Instructor of Technology at each elementary school (half-time in
buildings with eight sections or less and full-time in all other elementary
buildings) responsible for following the technology curriculum while
instructing grades one through five, and collaborating with classroom teachers
to determine methods of integrating technology with classroom lessons.
C. Provide laptop or desktop computer system for each licensed staff member with
capabilities to include requirements as: Intel Dual Core processor; 4 gb RAM, 200
GB hard drive; color monitor; and Ethernet connection. Technology Department
will continue to review above standards annually.
D. Develop a program for check out of equipment to staff members. (Process to be
determined by individual buildings.)
E. It is recommended that the Technology Department, through the district’s policy
making process, develop programs and policies for the following:
1. Minimum standards for hardware and software selection.
2. Acceptable use of hardware, software, Internet and copyrighted materials.
3. Obsolescence.
4. Backing up data.
5. Back up equipment.
6. Repair policy for non-warranted items.
H. Establish a Technology Training Center for staff development. This facility
would be used for training by District staff and the community.
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III. Standards Need:
Strive for hardware, software and policy consistency throughout the District.
Objective:
Establish a process to assess and standardize acquisition of hardware, software, and
technology-related curriculum materials district-wide, including courses such as
industrial technology, elementary technology classes, and allied arts.
Recommendations:
A. Director of Curriculum in coordination with Technology Department to develop a
technology skills scope and sequence which coordinates with curriculum reviews.
B. District Technology Department will establish policy or standards regarding
acceptance/rejection of donated technology items to District.
C. Establish policies for acceptable use of hardware, software and copyrighted materials.
D. The Technology Coordinator as well as the Director of Business Services will review
proposed technology purchases.
E. Technology Coordinator in conjunction with the Technology Department and the
Director of Curriculum and Instruction will regularly evaluate versions of District-
wide software, and recommend upgrades as needed.
1. Adopt Microsoft Office as the staff standard for word processing.
2. Adopt standard software for elementary tech classes.
3. Establish Standards for Web Pages throughout the District.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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IV. Student Assessment Needs:
Find a more efficient and effective method of student assessment reporting and recording.
Develop streamlined methods of collection, storing and sharing data.
Establish benchmarks and track student growth.
Objectives:
Evaluate programs currently in progress.
Investigate additional authentic assessment alternatives and reporting systems.
Assess and evaluate students individually, by grade level, and by building and compare
this school district with results from other school districts.
Recommendations:
A. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction should investigate what is being done
state and nation-wide in the area of assessment.
B. Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and the Technology Department will assess
data currently provided by the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, Accelerated
Reading and Math, and MAP testing to establish benchmarks and track student
achievement individually, by grade level, by building, and District-wide.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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V. Community/Family Access and Support Need:
Find ways to engage the community and families through the use of technology.
Objective:
To identify and locate resources that may be shared among the District, businesses and
the community in general and provide information for parents and families.
Provide more effective means of communicating information to district families.
Recommendations:
A. Provide online access for families to track student progress (grades, attendance,
scheduling, etc).
B. Provide methods for families to make online payments where appropriate. (For
example, lunches, student fees, community education classes).
C. Develop a district-wide notification system capable of delivering emergency
information or announcements quickly and through a variety of media.
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VI. Internet and Electronic Mail
Need:
Maintain/improve local and wide area networks and internet access for all district
buildings.
Staff development in applicable uses of internet resources.
Develop consistent Acceptable Use Policy.
Utilize technical resources to enhance and support professional growth.
Objective:
Provide reliable connectivity throughout the District and develop practices that allow
teachers to provide information and collaboration opportunities for students beyond the
regular school day.
Recommendations:
A. Technology Department to use wide and local area networks connected to an Internet
service provider to distribute services throughout all buildings at speeds of at least
10MBps for school buildings.
B. Staff in all buildings will receive training in Internet use, including FirstClass and
methods of using a variety of web-based resources to integrate with curriculum.
C. Maintain filtering software and incorporate the appropriate software/hardware
District-wide.
D. Maintain internal platform for messaging/communication/email.
E. Explore and develop methods to provide online instruction.
F. Explore and implement platforms to allow students access to classroom information,
resources and collaboration opportunities from anywhere internet access is available.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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VII. Video Need:
Learners need access to video equipment, multimedia production opportunities, and
educational programming.
Objective:
Provide access to video equipment and educational programming to all learners.
Recommendations:
A. Communications Department and building principals to:
1. Establish a consistent cable plant to provide cable TV access to all classrooms.
2. Provide a means of receiving and recording video signal in each classroom.
3. Provide mobile production/broadcast equipment at the middle school, high school,
and elementary level.
4. Encourage and develop digital video production and editing by students.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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VIII. Communications Need:
Reliable local, long distance and cellular phone service.
Standardization of phone systems district-wide.
Objective:
Have a coordinated, compatible voice communications system complete with teacher
voice mail.
Recommendations:
A. Director of Business Services will coordinate with the district communications
technician to:
1. Assess needs on a building-by-building basis to provide local telephone access to
all buildings and classrooms.
2. Develop a plan for implementation of a coordinated system.
3. Install and maintain a consistent/coordinated phone system.
4. Establish consistent and cost-effective long distance and cellular phone service.
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IX. Student Records System
Need:
Maintain a centralized student records system to eliminate duplication of effort and the
ensuing inaccuracies involved in entering student information in multiple databases, and
improve the appearance and timeliness of student reports.
Objective:
The District will continue to maintain a student record system with a consistent interface,
MARSS compatibility, and single data repository for access throughout the District.
Recommendations:
A. District Technology Coordinator will maintain student records system and associated
components (servers, networks, and end-user workstations) necessary for the function
of the system.
B. Appropriate District personnel will receive regular support and training necessary to
perform job functions related to the student records system.
C. District leadership will continue to review and adapt current record-keeping functions
to merge with student records system (Graduation Standards, test scores, report cards,
etc).
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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X. Administrative Systems
Need:
An effective and efficient system for processing and distributing administrative
information.
Objective:
To provide an electronic means of facilitating day-to-day administrative operations.
Recommendations:
A. Director of Business Services, the Technology Department and end users to
investigate and purchase a system capable of providing the following:
1. Supply and Equipment Requisitions.
2. General Ledger.
3. Accounts Receivable and Payable.
4. Payroll.
5. Fixed Assets
6. Inventory
7. Building and Fleet Maintenance
8. Transportation Scheduling
9. Personnel management.
10. Facilities Scheduling
11. State Reporting
B. Provide access to all administrative staff. This implies connections to both local and
wide area networks.
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XI. Facilities Need:
The technology plan needs to be incorporated into all future development in all buildings
within the District.
Objective:
Ensure that future development/renovations in the buildings accommodate technology.
Recommendations:
A. Electrical systems should be examined and upgraded as needed by Buildings and
Grounds as supervised by the Director of Business Services.
B. Director of Business Services will coordinate with architects, engineers, Buildings
and Grounds, consultants, principals, and planners when any work is undertaken in
the buildings to assure that buildings will accommodate technology as it is described
in the District Technology Plan.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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XII. Obsolescence Planning Need:
To identify obsolete systems and continuously assess thresholds for repair and recycle.
Objective:
Set a minimum standard using a cost/benefit analysis by which repairs and replacements
can be justified.
Recommendations:
A. Technology Department in conjunction with elementary, middle school and high
school technology committees will annually review technology inventory as part of
the budgeting process and determine which items need replacement.
B. The Technology Department in conjunction with the District Safety Manager will
develop a policy of disposal/repurposing for replaced and obsolete items.
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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XIII. Inventory Needs:
Inventory keeping methods must be standardized District wide.
Technology must be clearly defined as it relates to teacher use and student learning (ie,
what is considered technology and what is not) .
Objectives:
Establish a structured inventory method for all buildings in our District.
Establish clear methods of requisitioning equipment, maintaining warrantee and
maintenance agreements and maintaining an accurate and available inventory.
Recommendations:
A. Technology, in terms of inventory and Technology Department responsibility, shall
be defined as:
1. Computers, mobile devices, printers, scanners, digital cameras, digital projectors,
presentation stations, etc. District tech committees will not be responsible for
clocks, alarms, sound systems, and other items, which do not connect directly to
our wide area network.
2. As is true with this entire plan, this definition will be reviewed annually to assure
it is in compliance with emerging technologies and the mission of the District.
B. Create a District wide template for current inventory.
C. Make said database accessible to tech and media personnel to regularly update
records.
D. All technology purchases will be channeled through the Technology Coordinator to
assure District standards are met at optimal costs.
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XIV. Budget Need:
To provide District staff with knowledge of existing funds and a reasonable estimate of
what will be budgeted in successive years.
To define areas of spending specific to technology, i.e. building allocations for
hardware/software purchases and maintenance, WAN expenses.
Objective:
Establish line items for Technology in the existing District budget.
Recommendations:
A. The Technology Coordinator will consult with the Director or Business Services
annually to determine technology budget allocations.
B. Building Technology Committees will be informed as soon as fiscally possible of the
following school year’s budget.
C. Budget Proposal for School Years 2013-2015:
Tech Budget
Staff Expenses 390,000
Data/Telecom Services Charges 95,000
WAN Improvements and Maintenance 50,000
Building Allocations 150,000
District Technology Discretionary 45,000
1. Staff Expenses: District Technology Coordinator, 4 Computer/Network
Specialists, 1 System Specialist.
2. Data/Telecom Services Charges: Metro Ethernet, DSL service, Local
Telephone service, Long Distance, Cellular Phone service.
3. WAN Improvements and Maintenance: Network electronics upgrades, Core
system hardware/software maintenance agreements.
4. Building Allocations: Per-pupil allocations distributed to Building
Technology Committees.
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5. District Technology Discretionary: Unforeseen District technology software
and hardware maintenance requirements.
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Appendix A – Technical Infrastructure
Bemidji Area Schools has made great strides in establishing both Local Area Networks
(LANs) and a Wide Area Network (WAN). The original Technology Plan written in
1995 clearly detailed the need to establish and maintain such networks reasoning that
they formed the foundation upon which most other components of the Technology Plan
rely.
This appendix is intended to provide historical information relating to the essential
components of the District network infrastructure, and as a planning document for future
improvements/upgrade to the network infrastructure. It is the intention of the
Technology Department to revise this appendix on a yearly basis.
LANs
The original Technology Plan called for Local Area Networks in all District buildings. In
most cases, network installations are retrofit. Wiring closets are located in storage areas
and other non-classroom/low traffic locations. Few have air conditioning, but most have
adequate space for ventilation and are in locations that are locked.
The following table lists each building, type of network implemented, and future
improvements planned:
Building Network Type (Hardware/Backbone) Future Plans Timeframe
Central 100 mb Switched
Lincoln 100 mb Switched / 100 mb Fiber
J.W. Smith 100 mb Switched
Horace May 100 mb Switched
Northern 100 mb Switched
Paul Bunyan 100 mb Switched
Solway 100 mb Switched
Middle School 100 mb Switched
High School 100/1000 mb Switched / 1000 mb Fiber
District Office 100/1000 mb Switched
Transportation 100 mb Switched
Community Ed 100 mb Switched
First City 100 mb Switched
Warehouse 100 mb Switched
Maintenance 100 mb Switched
DEC 100 mb Switched
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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WAN
Wide Area Network connections were established for all buildings by the 1998-99 school
year. Initial Internet access was provided by a TAG grant and provided a T1 connection
at the Middle School for both video and data connectivity. An additional T1 was added
during the 1990-00 school year for data only. WAN connections now are primarily
Metro Ethernet with a couple of locations still using 10Mbit DSL. The District continues
to apply for Federal E-rate funding for these connections annually. In addition, the
Technology Department continues to seek the most cost-effective solutions for
connectivity.
The table below describes WAN connections at each building:
Building WAN Connection(s)
Central 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Lincoln 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
J.W. Smith 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Horace May 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Northern 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Paul Bunyan 1000 MBit Metro Ethernet
Solway 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Middle School 100 MBit Metro Ethernet
High School 100 MBit Metro Ethernet
District Office 1000 MBit Metro Ethernet
Transportation 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Community Ed 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Riverside 10 MBit DSL
First City 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Warehouse 10 MBit DSL
Maintenance 100 MBit Metro Ethernet
DEC 10 MBit Metro Ethernet
Internet / Intranet
As part of the findings and objectives described in the Tech Plan, the District has
established several key core components of the network infrastructure that provide
services upon which those objectives are based. These services are divided into the
following categories:
Security
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Filtering
Web Services
Miscellaneous
Security
Access to District resources is generally restricted to only web-based resources. Security
is controlled by a firewall with standard security practices like access lists and the use of
non-routable IP addresses in conjunction with Network Address Translation (NAT).
Access-list control is employed on the firewall at the edge of the network and serves to
deny access to any resource inside the network that needs to remain secure. Resources
that do not require the need for public access, including student and administrative
workstations, are given non-routable IP addresses that are translated at the edge routers
when access to Internet resources is required.
Filtering
Bemidji Area Schools complies with The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Access to the Internet is provided with the understanding that students and staff follow
the guidelines detailed in the District Acceptable Use Policy (see appendix C). In
addition, all traffic entering and leaving the district network passes through a content
filter that restricts student access to unacceptable material.
The District moved from ISP-based email services to in-house email services during the
1998-99 school year. The current system provides services to employees of the District
and Board members. The Technology Department will continue to explore methods of
providing safe email services to students, but provides no such services at this time.
The District email system provides regular Internet email, shared calendars, group/private
on-line conferences, and personal web space. The system is heavily used with nearly 900
accounts and continues to grow as a tool for communication and information sharing
within the District. The District Office disseminates employment information, graduation
standards information, curriculum discussion, and leadership communication through this
system. Teachers and buildings maintain public calendars and building-wide discussion
and information conferences on the system.
Web Services
Bemidji Area Schools maintains a variety of web based information sources. While there
is no one person designated as the “web master”, several buildings maintain their own
web pages following a common template with links back to the main District web page.
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The Technology Department is committed to providing as many resources as possible via
the web and continuously reviews possible solutions to cut back on paper usage and
provide more complete and up-to-date information electronically. The District currently
uses the web for the following:
Attendance, Grading and student information retrieval for classroom teachers
at all levels.
Regularly updated - searchable warehouse catalog available to all employees
via the web.
Community Education maintains a web site from which the community can
view course offerings and register and pay electronically for the courses they
wish to take.
Basic District information available to community (Board Members, District
phone numbers, etc.)
Family Access to student information including grades, attendance and the
ability to view lunch purchases and make payments online for school lunches.
Telephone Systems
The district currently purchases service for approximately 250 Centrex lines for local
telephone service. Each building has a digital PBX system to manage call transfers and
voice mail. The District provides telephone communications to every classroom in the
district for parent/instructor interaction.
This service is currently under contract with a local telephone cooperative. The
System Specialist, Technology Coordinator and Director of Business Services continue
assess telephone services and look for cost-effective ways of delivering local phone
service to each district building including possible conversion to hosted Voice over IP
services.
In addition to local service, the district purchases long distance services and cellular
phone services for offices that have a demonstrated need. We have consolidated all
cellular service with a single vendor using their government pricing and purchase this
service on a month-to-month basis.
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Appendix B – Disaster Recovery
Bemidji Area Schools relies more and more on electronic services to perform many
common daily functions. To address the need for policy relating to various levels of
service interruption, the Technology Department has established a set of guidelines to
follow as a means of both preventative maintenance and emergency recovery.
To provide some means of prioritizing situations that result in a loss of service, the
Technology Office will use the following categories (from most critical to least critical):
1. District-Wide Loss of access to core District student and financial data/telephone
services.
2. Localized loss of access to core District student and/or financial data or telephone
services.
3. Loss of access to District Intranet services (email, DNS, DHCP, etc.)
4. Failure of local building database or file services.
5. Loss of access to Internet.
I. District-Wide Data Protection
All student and financial data residing on the central district database are to be backed up
in the most effective means possible. Specific backup processes change periodically
these processes will be documented by the Technology Coordinator and made available
to all technology staff. Current backup practice provides three concurrent sets of backups
located on 1. The main server, 2. A backup server and 3. A high capacity data protection
unit containing all other server backups.
Servers will be connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to prevent data loss
and service interruption in the event of short-term power outages.
All other network services considered District-Wide (file services, email, web services,
etc.) will be governed by the following practices:
Data critical to the function and setup of any system will be backed up on a daily
basis. Again, these processes will be documented by the Technology
Coordinator.
Computers providing service will be connected to a UPS to prevent data loss and
service interruption in the event of short-term power outages.
II. Core System Hardware Recovery
The Technology Department recognizes that hardware failure will occur with most
devices over the span of their expected lifetime. While there is no specific provision for
the replacement of large numbers of devices lost due to catastrophic events like fire or
severe weather (other than insurance), the Technology Department will provide for the
replacement of devices lost due to hardware failure, human error, or minor localized
Bemidji Area Schools Technology Plan
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emergencies. For the purposes of this document, Core System Hardware will include
devices in the following categories:
Network Hardware
Administrative Hardware
Inter/Intranet Services Hardware
Network Hardware
Network hardware includes routers, hubs, switches, and any other electronic device
which controls or carries data throughout the District network.
The Technology Department will maintain at least one spare for every type of device
utilized throughout the District network. In many cases the Technology Department
stocks several switches and hubs to replace failed or damaged devices. It is the goal of
the Technology Department to be able to quickly resume service to areas affected by the
loss of network hardware, although service may temporarily be at a lower level of
function.
Hardware directly connecting buildings to Metro Ethernet service are the responsibility
of the local service provider.
The District maintains a yearly service contract on the core devices providing Internet
related services to all building.
Administrative Hardware
Administrative hardware includes computers providing access to our database services
for student and financial data.
The Technology Office maintains a backup server identical to the production server for
the purpose of rapid recovery from a hardware failure. The backup server is housed at
the high school and is maintained and updated on the same schedule as the production
server.
Inter/Intranet Services Hardware
The Technology Office currently maintains sufficient equipment and service options to
accommodate any loss in core intranet or Internet services. Spare computers exist to
restore mail and web services should the current service be disrupted for any reason. File
services, DNS and DHCP are spread across several servers and can be reestablished from
a variety of locations relatively quickly.
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III. Telephone Services
Each of our locations served by PBX, have additional C.O. lines that are not connected to
the PBX in order to maintain guaranteed communication in the event of lost house power.
Examples are the fax machines, building safety, fire and intrusion system must have
security from PBX control for reliable communications with the outside world. All new
upgrades will include caller I.D. to be consistent throughout the district.
Building enhancements are added to systems such as zone paging, building all call
paging, and night ring to contact personnel after business hours. Each District designed
system includes emergency paging inside and outside emergency communications.
The District presently maintains a service department that can respond in minutes and has
a support inventory to completely restore lost service with minimum down time. The
matrix-cabling scheme is designed to restore outside communication in minutes.
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Appendix C – Acceptable Use
The current Acceptable Use Policy is available at:
http://www.bemidji.k12.mn.us/pdf/aup.pdf
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Appendix D – Technology Scope and Sequence
Technology Scope and Sequence for Grades 1 – 5 Incorporating National, State and Local Technology Standards
1 2 3 4 5
Basic Skills
Identify and use correct terminology for hardware and software • • • • •
Properly insert floppy disk and CD-ROM disk into drives • • • • •
Use mouse efficiently • • • • •
Open applications • • • • •
Quit applications (using pull-down menu and Apple-Q) • • • • •
Save files to disk or hard drive/file server (using pull-down menu
and Apple-S) • • • • •
Retrieve files from disk or hard drive/file server • • • • •
Print (using pull-down menu and Apple-P) • • • • •
Use undo concept as appropriate to the program used • • • • •
Resolve a frozen computer (force quit, "warm boot," etc.) • • • •
Use print options (color, # of copies, orientation) • • • •
Read and follow onscreen computer prompts • • • •
Format a disk (if needed) • • •
Drag unneeded items to trash and empty trash • • •
Change ribbons or cartridges in a printer (may be awareness level
only) • • •
Load paper in a printer • • •
Review/use copy, cut, paste, select all, and undo in a variety of
environments (using pull-down menus and key commands) • •
Work with multiple windows •
Graphics V
Use correct vocabulary:
Make shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, etc.) • • • • •
Add a graphic from within the program, i.e. ClarisWorks library • • • •
Insert a graphic from desktop, clip art CD, etc. • • • •
Use peripheral devices (cameras, scanners, laser discs, etc.) to
collect graphics needed for projects Class Group Group
Indiv
Flip, resize, and move graphics • • • • •
Move/add/rotate/resize text objects • • • •
Use arrow keys to nudge graphics • • • •
Capture graphics, zoom in/out, cut/copy/paste (using pull down
menus and keyboard commands) • • • •
Zoom in/out to view layout of page(s) • • •
Paint capabilities:
Explore paint tools (brush, bucket, spray can, eraser, etc.) • • • • • Add special effects to images, i.e. distort, perspective •
1 2 3 4 5
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Draw capabilities:
Explore draw tools (line, rectangle, circle/oval, etc.) • • • •
Select multiple objects • • •
Align graphics • •
Overlap objects, moving them to front or back •
Explore functional differences between paint and draw
documents:
Selecting objects or images • • •
Formatting and modifying text • • •
Editing/modifying objects or images • • •
Select environment appropriate for task •
Use graphics and tools to create products/presentations related to
curricular objectives • • • • •
Pre-keyboarding
Use thumb to press space bar • •
Locate general areas of keyboard, i.e. letters and numbers (not
typing individual characters) • •
Use return key • •
Locate and use keys: shift, delete, =, +, -(dash/minus) • •
Identify left and right hand sides of the keyboard •
Utilize proper body position at the keyboard • •
Keyboarding V
Begin formal instruction •
Demonstrate proper homerow keystroking • • •
Demonstrate proper keystroking of each letter of the alphabet and
punctuation • • •
Touchtype alphabetic keys • •
Number and symbol keys • •
Continue developing and improving speed and accuracy • •
Reinforcement of good technique in all computer activities • •
Pre-Word Processing
Input name • •
Select text and change fonts, size of text, and text styles in an
existing document • •
Use arrow keys to move around in text, i.e. for editing purposes •
Know and use line spacing features •
Dictate group stories which teacher inputs • •
Modify font, size, and style on existing captions, labels, titles, etc. •
Key 1-2 sentences (utilizing word wrap and formatting features)
fingering appropriately •
Understanding WP vocabulary (insert, delete, etc.) •
Proofread and edit sentences •
1 2 3 4 5
Word Processing V V
Manipulate the layout of document: use margins, line spacing, and
alignment. • • •
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Use tab key to indent • • •
Introduce different formats (columns, letters, table, etc.) • •
Use spell check to identify and correct spelling errors • • •
Key stories and reports from handwritten work •
Key stories and reports, transitioning to composing at keyboard • •
Apply cut, copy, and paste to revise documents • • •
Turn on text wrap when needed with graphics • • •
Introduce writing tools of the program • •
Review/use all word processing features independently • •
Organizing, Interpreting, Reporting V
Use existing spreadsheets to collect/analyze information Class Group Indiv • •
Input data into prepared spreadsheet Group Indiv Indiv Indiv
Create spreadsheet; use for organizing information Group
Indiv Indiv Indiv
Create a spreadsheet; use simple formulas and graph the data Group Indiv
Use existing database to collect/analyze information Class Class Group
Group Indiv
• •
Input information into prepared database Class Group
Indiv Indiv
Create a database Group Indiv
Communicating, Presenting
Use created picture(s) along with recorded narration, music, etc. to
present ideas to others (i.e. KidPix or KidWorks2) •
Combine graphic and/or pre-word processing products along with
recorded narration, music, etc. to present ideas/information to
others (i.e. Kid Pix or KidWorks2)
•
Use information and elements from a variety of sources (i.e.
Internet, CD's, laserdisc, video) to create multimedia presentations
for communicating ideas to others
• • •
Send and receive email Class Class Class
Group Class Group
Class Group
Social, ethical, and human issues
Responsible use of computer hardware and software (i.e. keep
disks away from magnets, high heat, appropriate handling) • • • • •
Knowledge of AH Acceptable Use Policy - Internet section • • • •
Personal internet safety • • • •
Copyrights as related to internet graphics and information • • •
Age appropriate documentation of sources of graphics and
information used in student projects
• • •
Authorized access to information • •
Software copyright, shareware, freeware, public domain, fair use • •
Email etiquette • • •
1 2 3 4 5
Technology research tools V V
Use a CD-ROM Group
Indiv Group Indiv
Search the Media catalog to locate resources Class
Group Group Indiv
• • •
Access the internet Class Class
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Group
Use the Internet and other on-line sources to conduct a search Group
Indiv Group Indiv
Use the Internet and conduct an advanced search Group Indiv
Use electronic encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other CDs • •
Introduce electronic atlas •
Increase efficient use of electronic encyclopedia, atlas, dictionary,
etc.
•
Class=Teacher directed class activity
Group=Teacher directed small group activity
Indiv=Teacher directed individual activity
V=Assessed for MN Profile of Learning