A guide to the Internet for small town leaders. Consider a joint enterprise. Explore partnering with a local school. Peter Jahn, principal communications analyst with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, speculates that teaming up with a local school could offer the students a real-world training tool, while giving the community a ride on the school's federally subsidized Internet connection. Consider applying the school partnership idea to Web site creation and maintenance, adds Larry Lane, special programs coordinator with the Texas Municipal League.
Lane further proposes a citywide contest to generate the best Web site design ideas.
Because security issues can be a major concern, Howell recommends putting the community Web pages under a separate account and password. Of course, not all communities have encountered success in engaging high school students in Web-site management. Montana-based consultant Kathleen McMahon reports that keeping students committed to Web site maintenance can be a chore, given holiday breaks and students' competing activities. Such an arrangement would also address security concerns because students would not have regular access to the site. To order a complete version of this, or other publications offered by the NCSC, click here .