HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 Technology Review Committee Chartger 2004-09-14-TRC-charter.pdf Charter for the 2004 Technology Review Committee
1 . Introduction
This charter was approved by a vote of the Lexington School Committee on June 15,
2004. It was revised pursuant to the Superintendent's recommendation at the August 10,
2004 School Committee meeting. This revision was approved by the School Committee
on September 14, 2004.
The Technology Review Committee will comprehensively review the deployment and
use of computer technology in the Lexington Public Schools. The findings of the Review
Committee will be preparation for an updated four-year technology plan to be
implemented starting June 2005,when the current four-year plan expires. The focus of
the new plan will be to support the best practices for teaching and learning as well as the
state technology guidelines developed by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
(See, for example, http://www.doe.mass.edu/edtech/tplanguide04 07.html).
The Review Committee will seek input from interested parties in the municipal and
school administrations, in the school staff, on the governing boards (Selectmen and
School Committee), and from selected citizens.
The Review Committee is organized as a subcommittee of the Lexington School
Committee and will report to that body. Its recommendations may refer to other inquiries
carried out by the Superintendent of Schools and the Town Manager.
2. Scope of the Review Committee
The Review Committee will refrain from broadening its scope and will be mindful that
the school system already has an extensive computer infrastructure in place. Any
recommendations on restructuring or reorganization of the program will be stated as
advice for the incoming IT director.
The Review Committee will work toward recommendations on computing in the
Lexington Public Schools that reflect the interests and values of the community and the
expertise of professional educators and technologists.
In addition to other inquiries it may deem appropriate, the Review Committee will
specifically address the following questions:
(a) Will Lexington Public Schools be national leaders, for the next five years, in
pedagogical use of computer technology, and will the schools use computing
effectively to prepare students for work in Massachusetts?
(b) If not, how should our educational practices and policies change?
(c) Are the Lexington Public Schools buying and using the most appropriate
technology (hardware and software) in light of the state of the art in 2004,
computing trends in 2004-2009 likely to impinge on the system and its students,
and the constraints of town budgets?
(d) If not,what changes in technology and purchasing should the school system
consider?
(e) How is technology curriculum development and support staffing best organized
within the school system?
The Review Committee may also consider the proper relationship between the school
system's computer infrastructure and the infrastructure of the library,the town offices,
and other municipal departments. The scope of this inquiry might include:
1. Inventory the current technology staffing resources that exist in the municipal and
school organizations.
2. Define the current and probable near-term best practices for staffing levels and
organization in the following areas of information technology:
a. Network administration
b. Technical support
c. Website applications
d. Training
3. Design governance process for joint municipal/school IT decision making.
3. Participation in the Review Committee
The Review Committee will consist of Tom Diaz as Chair and Olga Guttag as Vice-Chair,
assisted by approximately ten people:
(a) One citizen volunteer with expertise in public education, preferably with expertise
in pedagogical use of computers.
(b) Three additional citizen volunteers with expertise in use of computers in business
and in academic institutions.
(c) Six staff members appointed by the Superintendent, representing experienced
personnel with a range of views.
The Review Committee will also seek liaisons with the Capital Expenditures Committee
and the Town Manager's office.
4. Review Committee Reports
At regular intervals, the Review Committee will make brief reports on its progress to the
School Committee, including such preliminary findings and points of community
consensus as may be appropriate.
The Review Committee will keep the Superintendent apprised of any activities using
school time and resources and will interview school personnel only with the
Superintendent's permission.
The Review Committee will make a final report in draft form available for public
comment at least thirty days before its formal presentation to the School Committee.
Pertinent parts of public comments on the draft final report may be included in the final
report.
5. Operation and Budget of the Review Committee
As a subcommittee of the Lexington School Committee, the Review Committee must
conduct its work according to the state Open Meeting law, and committee members will
be briefed on the subject.
The Chair and Vice-Chair will be responsible for the management of the review. The
Chair or, in his absence, the Vice-Chair, will have the authority to call meetings, set
agendas, and direct the work.
The Committee will work on the basis of consensus, taking votes only as needed, at the
discretion of the Chair.
The study committee members will serve without compensation and will endeavor to
make only necessary and minimal use of school resources.
6. Access to School Employees and Systems
Subject to advance notice to and permission of the Superintendent, the Review
Committee (or its designee)will be afforded full access to the school system's computing
facilities and to school employees. When on school property,the Review Committee
members will conduct themselves according to LPS policies and according to rules
established from time to time by the Superintendent.
7. Timetable
The timetable assumes adoption of this revised charter by the School Committee on or
before October 1, 2004. The Review Committee will present a preliminary report at a
School Committee meeting on or before October 1, 2004, including the Committee's
views on the schedule and process which it thinks are necessary to accomplish its mission.
We desire a preliminary report with budget input for FY06, by December 1, 2004. A
more complete report with input for the state plan would be desirable by April 1, 2005.