Year 3 - Provide Internet access for all classrooms, computer lab, and media center. Because a multi - year approach was developed, we were able to phase in the costs. During year one, the Board acquired 17 Power Macs for the computer lab and 3 Gateways for the educational media center. During 1995 - 96, the Board provided networking in every room through a file server, the ISDN line, as well as Power Macs in each classroom. Our technology plan was expedited by a grant that we received from the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and Bell Atlantic.
Grants are difficult to obtain.
But your district can enhance the role of the community in developing your technology plan by focusing on the basic approach we used in our successful application. One of the key characteristics of the Mine Hill grant proposal was that it linked an innovative concept to the total school program - particularly our award winning parent involvement program. The Mine Hill grant program utilized the district's award winning parent involvement program as the forum to introduce parents, students and staff to the value of remote technology and its impact on learning. Access to the internet for parents and kids is provided during Mine Hill's evening parent involvement program. Currently, our parents and kids attend six evening sessions.