Posted by:
John Rinaldi
District admin/coordinator
Hinesburg, VT

Topic:
Involvement and ownership

Message:

I believe it is very important to engage all constituents in planning and supporting technology initiatives. I am very concerned when any single constituency significantly directs that process. It is critical that all players feel involved and have ownership. I have witnessed all too often an over zealous parents group attempt to direct an initiative for which the teachers have no personal buy in.

We have had considerable success with input from our Information Technology Committee. This committee has functioned for 15 years and consists of parent, teacher, administration, technical staff and school board representation. The total committee numbers approximately 18.

This group is empowered by the Superintendent to make the major recommendations for planning and implementation of our technology initiatives. The committee works directly with the Assistant Superintendent for Research and Development. Release time of one morning per month is allocated to the committee for their work. They also hold a two-day summer retreat and attend two national technology conventions annually.

We firmly believe that it is important for us to continually build the capacity of this group so that they maintain the leadership role in our organization. To assure adequate representation of all constituencies we recruit directly to their organizations to have them recommend individuals for membership. Although we have asked individual students to participate in various discussions held by the committee, we do not have them represented as formal members, primarily due to the time conflict with their classes.

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