Early in his tenure, the chief paid executive of this organization mandated that all students have the same level of Internet access, and equipment, regardless of the geographic setting of the school. Starting with Wide Area Networks, it became obvious that this was a technology that was manageable, quickly installable and cost effective. Subsequently, Internet access and e-mail capability has become common place in every school. With the exception of the central training lab, all of the labs have 30 computers, each equipped with a teacher station with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and full screen projection system for the lab. Such certifications ensure that all teachers within the division are not only computer literate, but have the capability to share this body of knowledge with students.
Website design is an integral portion of the program.
As a service to staff, all are now eligible for at-home Internet access, thus allowing faculty and staff to continue planning or research at home. Additionally, through local instructional links, teachers can access and pull down instructional items, from the convenience of their home. Finally, as an extremely well received public service, school closings are now posted on their home page. This enables students and parents with PCs at home, to receive the earliest possible notification of changes in schedules, allowing students and parents to alter theirs appropriately. Late Iast year, one of their staff members was honored by the Virginia Dept. of Education with the 2000 Technology Leadership Award for Region Six , and the organization was selected by the Southern Piedmont Technology Council for its annual Technology Leadership in Education Award , for the innovative use of wireless technologies in the implementation of a microwave based Wide Area Network.