Minutes from the October 27th Regional Meeting
Submitted by John Minelli on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 20:02.
Our first meeting of the 2008-2009 school year was held in The Getaway at Hartford High School. In attendance was Ed Barry, Peter Drescher, Donald LaPlante, John Minelli, Margaret Cintorino, Alida Ciampa, Rick Dustin-Eichler, Tucker Cruckshank, Mary Ann Bennet, Doug Holcomb, and Elaine Then. Attending "virtually" via the LNV was Lauren Baker, Paul Smith, and Arlyn Bruccoli.
We began with a brief sharing discussion that covered a wide-range of educational technology issues here in the state (including the wonderful opportunities the LNV now opens up for most of us) and that then moved into the need for access to broadband connectivity at all schools in the state.
Following the opening discussion, we moved into a demonstration of SmartBoard technology and had a brief hands-on demonstration of the Senteo assessment hand-helds from Smart Tech. Peter Drescher gave the group a "state of the state" address that included information on the role-out of the new state technology plan and the subsequent revision of the state tech GE's that will be in the works. Peter mentioned how applications for the coming year eRate forms (471) require approved district technology plans to be in place, and Peter has placed a single page form/application on the state tech website to serve as this interim plan until new district tech plans are created and approved. In that regard, Peter did say that new Technology Plans must be created prior to July 1, 2009. Finally, Peter talked about the final stages of the Microsoft Settlement and said all vouchers need to be submitted to the state by December 31, 2008. Contact Peter for more information.
The meeting went well. The group will hold two subsequent meetings for this school year and will move the locations toward the southern part of the state with each meeting. They are scheduled for January 29, 2009 and then April 30, 2009. Both meetings will take place at 2:30 PM. Exact locations and more details to follow.
Questions? Please write me at minellij@hartfordschools.net.
John Minelli
