St. Matthew's School
Technology Plan
2010 - 2013
St. Matthew’s School
602 S. Main
Kalispell, MT 59901
September 28, 2009
E-Rate Technology Plan 2010-2013
St. Matthew’s School is currently a school for students in preschool through grade 8. There is also a Day Care for children ages 2 - 6. Our technology at present consists of one computer lab used by Kindergarten through 8th grade, and one laptop lab used by 6th, 7th and 8th grades. All K-8 teachers have a computer in their classroom. The Library technology consists of a checkout computer, a search station, and an older computer used primarily for Accelerated Reader tests. All computers share a cable internet connection. There are 2 printers in the computer lab, one in the laptop lab, and two in a middle floor classroom. These are shared over the network throughout the school. The following is the school’s plan for improving technology in the school over the next three years. Attached is a technology assessment, listing current computer technology at St. Matthew’s School and our planned improvements.
1. We will upgrade software as necessary in the computer lab and laptop lab, and acquire new educational software to improve education and meet current goals.
2. We will continue to upgrade computers, replacing the oldest computers, and keeping up with technology changes. Older computers in labs and older classroom computers will be replaced as funds become available.
3. We will continue to purchase SMART boards and projectors for classrooms until there is a SMART board and projector in each classroom.
4. We will upgrade our current network server, possibly to a RAID server array, to speed up network traffic, and make backups automatic.
5. We plan to purchase and install antivirus software for each computer on the network.
6. We will purchase one document scanner per floor, to be used by the classroom teachers, with the goal of having one per classroom.
7. We will upgrade printers, digital movie equipment, and digital cameras as needed.
8. We will look into purchasing administrative software for the school.
Professional Development for teachers and staff will be scheduled as follows:
1. SMART board inservice training will be scheduled for all classroom teachers.
2. We will send a team of teachers to observe at other schools with successful technology programs, and institute a mentoring program for the other teachers at our own school.
3. Teachers will be encouraged to participate in off-site workshops offered through District 5 and OPI.
Technical support is currently handled in-house, with basic computer maintenance and network troubleshooting. Outside technical support may be needed occasionally.
The school’s electrical system is adequate to support current users. The electrical system will be upgraded as needed to add additional computers to the network.
We plan to evaluate our technology needs on a yearly basis to keep up with new advances in technology. We will also evaluate how technology is being used in the classroom, to determine if additional teacher training is necessary, or if changes need to be made. Evaluations will be conducted by the school principal and the technology coordinator.
The administration and parents of St. Matthew’s School are committed to continuing technology improvements for our school. Approximately $10,000 will be appropriated in the school budget each year to use for technology, including purchase of new equipment, software, internet service, and technical support and maintenance. As a small private school, we also rely on donations each year for some technology purchases.
Our present goals are to continue to improve our existing network, keep up with changes in software and hardware, and keep internet access available to teachers, staff, and students, in order to better prepare all for the future.