1. Technology Plan
2015-2020
for the
Shaker Heights Schools

2. From the Director of Technology & Media Services
Technology is a term used so frequently its true meaning has become misconstrued and somewhat
diluted. In today’s society, technology has become a catch-all label used to describe anything that
connects to the Internet, stores data, plugs into an outlet, runs on batteries, tracks a workout, or
provides navigational assistance. Although not necessarily mislabeled as ‘technology,’ these examples
and the myriad of other gadgets tagged as such, have assumed the meaning of this term once meant
to describe so much more. Turning to Webster, we can return to the roots of what ‘technology’ truly
means:
“the use of science in industry, engineering, etc.,
to invent useful things or to solve problems​1​”
Although not specifically listed, one can assume that the ‘etc.’ in the first line of this definition would
encompass education. Since the advent of the chalkboard, technology has been a part of teaching
and learning. Today, digital technology has proliferated in education with the intent to support school
operations, instruction, and student learning.
The second line of this definition forces one to take a step back to zoom out from our modern
definition of technology and return to the essence of the word. Technology should be useful and help
solve problems.
The Five Year Technology Plan is rooted in this simple yet vital goal - to implement technology in a
way that helps and does not hinder, that solves rather than creates problems. This plan, which is the
culmination of several months of collaborative work among students, teachers, administrators,
parents and community members, is underpinned by the mission and goals of the District’s Five Year
Strategic Plan. This work will guide the Shaker Heights City Schools in its development of a reliable
infrastructure, the exploration and vetting of new technology, and the shedding of old technology.
This plan is a roadmap that provides steps toward a destination which is succinctly defined in the
Mission and Vision statements found in later pages. Like any trip, although the ultimate destination
stays static, the roads travelled or turns taken may change or require adjustment over time. As a
result, the Technology Plan will be a living document that will require periodic review and occasional
adjustment in order to ultimately end at the correct destination.
I would like to thank each member of the Technology Plan Committee for their insight, dedication,
and support of this endeavor. Each person brought a unique perspective and helped develop a
comprehensive and attainable plan that is aligned with and supportive of the District’s Five Year
Strategic Plan.
John Rizzo
Director of Technology & Media Services
Shaker Heights City Schools
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3. Technology Planning Committee Members:
● Jaclyn Abrams - F
● Michael Adams - ST
● Casey Ailiff - ST
● Jason Bednar - F
● Mary Coffey - F
● Carol Dawson - ST
● Pawan Divakarla - C/BR
● Bryan Drost - ST
● Fred Hart - C
● Christopher Hayward - ST
● Erin Herbruck - ST
● Jim Holesovsky - ST
● Lynne Kulich - ST
● Joe Marencik - F
● Claudia McCord - ST
● Adam Mortus - F
● David Shakno - S
● Eric Siler - C/BR
● Mary Strouse - F
● John Sweeney - F
● Cynthia Walker - ST
● Dale Whittington - ST
BR = Business Rep., C = Community Member, F = Faculty, S = Student, ST = Staff
Technology Core Beliefs
The Fundamental Core Beliefs section of the Technology Planning Process is the foundation around
which a district focuses on technology and how individuals agree to conduct themselves.
Fundamental Core Beliefs are the constant in the planning process. They are the basic elements that
guide relationships, and they are the organizational principles.
We believe that technology must:
● Be reliable, ready to use, and sustainable
● Be an integral component of the teaching and learning process
● Include and be supported by adequate professional learning for staff members
● Include a secure and safe environment
● Be accessible for all students and staff
● Be adequately researched and vetted before it is purchased and utilized
Technology Vision
The Shaker Heights City School District will be recognized as a leader in the integration of technology
in transforming the teaching-learning process in order to improve student achievement.
IT Department Mission
The mission of the Shaker Heights City Schools IT Department is to support the District’s strategic
initiatives by providing students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and community
members with the technical resources they depend upon to be successful.
We do this by listening to our school community, being proactive, striving for efficiency, and working
as a team. Our efforts bring value to the District and to the taxpayers of Shaker Heights by creating
synergy among multiple functional areas including data services, technical support, and library media
services.
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4. How to Use this Document
The Technology Plan is organized into six broad technology goals. These are:
● Goal 1: Technology Infrastructure
● Goal 2: Staffing
● Goal 3: Budget
● Goal 4: Technology Selection and Standardization
● Goal 5: Technology Professional Learning
● Goal 6: 24x7 Learning Environments
Each goal is defined and a notation is provided which shows the link between the Technology Plan
goal and the goal(s) of the District Five Year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan goals referenced are:
● Goal 2: Continuous Improvement
● Goal 4: Policy
● Goal 6: Human Resources and Facilities
Each broad technology goal is refined further into multiple technology initiatives. Each initiative has
multiple work plans or projects with corresponding timeframes for completion. Date ranges shown
represent school years and the detailed timeline for each work plan will be determined as each
project is defined by the appropriate stakeholders. Work plan timelines are depicted by shaded cells
and an arrow icon is used for ongoing initiatives/work plans that exceed five years .
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5. Goal 1: Technology Infrastructure
Refresh and maintain core technology infrastructure in order to create a strong foundation which can
support the demands of 21​st​
century teaching and learning and the Shaker Experience
Strategic Plan Alignment with Goals: ​2, 4
Technology Initiative 1.1
Assess and upgrade Internet bandwidth capacity
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Bandwidth utilization assessment and identification of network
bottlenecks, routing issues, areas of contention.
Assess options/need for increasing bandwidth capacity
Review and enforce bandwidth utilization policies
Explore options for Internet Service Providers
Monitor Internet bandwidth and adjust as needed.
Technology Initiative 1.2
Upgrade and replace​​network infrastructure to support current and future network demands
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Explore options for new web content filter and replace
Replace of core router located at City Hall
Upgrade High School core MDF switching
Replace end-of-life building level switches
Replace unmanaged switch gear located in network closets and
computers labs
10 Gbps upgrade between buildings
Assess Wi-Fi infrastructure and plan for necessary upgrades
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6. Technology Initiative 1.3
Develop a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan and a highly available network
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Review current disaster recovery plan
Audit backup procedures as well as current hardware/software
solution
Based on audit findings, develop plan to upgrade backup
hardware/software as well as revise procedures
Audit single points of failure on the Shaker network
Implement redundancy to maintain high availability of mission
critical systems
Technology Initiative 1.4
Assess, upgrade, and virtualize mission critical systems
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Inventory current physical server infrastructure and perform
needs assessment
Develop plan for the virtualization of application and file servers
Assess current email version and develop plan for upgrading
Assess current VoIP system including phones, servers, and
voicemail and weigh third party versus in-house hosting
Upgrade VoIP system
Upgrade building-level server hardware and operating system
Technology Initiative 1.5
Develop an accessible and integrated system to input, monitor, utilize, and analyze student data
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Research and select an instructional improvement system (data
warehouse) to readily allow student data to easily be used to
guide faculty and staff
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7. Research and select a student information system that will
interface with the instructional improvement system and
provide increased communication between all constituent
groups (students, staff, and parents)
Implement the selected instructional improvement system (data
warehouse) and student information system
Implement teacher professional learning on assessment tools,
student information system, and instructional improvement
system
Goal 2: Staffing
Create a comprehensive Information Technology department that provides customer service and
ongoing/job-embedded professional learning for staff in order to support 21​st​
century learning
Strategic Plan Alignment with Goals: ​2, 4
Technology Initiative 2.1
Information Technology department structure and facilities
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Conduct an IT/HR departmental assessment
Using input from assessment, review and redefine IT
department job descriptions
Develop and define protocols for conducting regular assessment
and review of IT supervisor performance
Develop and define protocols for conducting regular assessment
and review of employee performance
Create a comprehensive department encompassing technical
and data services
Review IT department workspace and facilities for equity,
accessibility, and appropriate size
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8. Goal 3: Budget
Create a process for purchasing technology that aligns expenditures with District strategic plan goals
Strategic Plan Alignment with Goals: ​2, 6
Technology Initiative 3.1
Process to support good stewardship of taxpayer and alternative funding sources
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Assess the use of external funding sources (e.g. grants,
donations, foundations) and develop processes to support the
use of these funds
Establish relationships with funding source representatives in
order to communicate the district’s most immediate needs
Develop technology priority list in order to assist in directing
funds toward the most needed items
Establish a plan for the use of external funding sources that
considers total cost of ownership and sustainability
Goal 4: Technology Selection and Standardization
Adopt a process for implementing new technology and for abandoning current technology that does
not directly support the technology plan
Strategic Plan Alignment with Goal: ​2
Technology Initiative 4.1
Adopt a process for implementing new technology and for abandoning current technology that does not directly
support the technology plan
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Form a technology selection and standardization committee to
assess current technology including best student:teacher ratio
and end-user devices
Working with committee, establish a software standard for
elementary, middle school and high school
Working with committee, define a process for the onboarding,
replacing and disposal of devices
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9. Goal 5: Technology Professional Learning
Provide staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to utilize and integrate technology into teaching
and learning
Strategic Plan Alignment: ​2
Technology Initiative 5.1
Provide human resources that will assist in technology professional learning throughout the district
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Working with Director of Professional Learning, select a data
collection instrument to gauge the level of technology
integration K-12 and needs for technology learning
Review and redefine the role of building technology team
members as being focused on technology integration
Review options for creating one or more district technology
coach role(s).
Technology Initiative 5.2
Provide technology professional learning to (all) staff tied to curriculum and instruction (job function)
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Establish a technology professional learning team
Develop a tiered system of technology professional learning that
is differentiated and supports district goals
Enhance and expand new teacher orientation to include more
time and more opportunities for technology professional
learning
Technology Initiative 5.3
Create a foundation of basic computer skills for elementary students
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Assess current technology instruction provided to students
Form a team to define basic, necessary computer skills (e.g.
keyboarding, mouse skills, file management)
Review and/or develop an elementary computer skills
curriculum
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10. Monitor of student growth and adjust curriculum accordingly
Technology Initiative 5.5
Develop a student­led program to repurpose equipment for distribution to community households
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Work with middle school and high school teachers to define
process for student membership
Determine best configuration of computer equipment and
process for inventory management
Establish of a training program for member students
Review funding options and procedures
Conduct site visit to observe a school with a similar established
program
Launch student computer program
Create and review protocols for household eligibility for
repurposed equipment
Technology Initiative 5.6
Extend technology learning opportunities to parents and community members
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Perform survey to determine technology accessibility in homes
throughout Shaker Heights
Engage community members to gather input on technology
training needs and develop programming
Define staffing and facilities availability to support more open
opportunities for technology use in district buildings
Work with district community outreach personnel to promote,
schedule, and facilitate community access to technology
training
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11. Goal 6: 24x7 Learning Environments
Research and select a common learning management system to assist teachers in facilitating the
delivery of course content and to foster 24x7 learning
Strategic Plan Alignment: ​2
Technology Initiative 6.1
Implement a common learning management system
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Select a diverse committee to review, recommend, and pilot
learning management systems (LMS)
Development of a professional learning plan for the LMS
Development of a rollout plan which includes expectations for
use
Adoption of a LMS by district
Continued training for current and new staff
Technology Initiative 6.2
Implementation of Google Apps for Education (GAFE)
2014­15 2015­16 2016­17 2017­18 2018­19
Convene committee of teachers to serve as GAFE trailblazers
GAFE teacher pilots - volunteer basis throughout district
Building upon 2015-16 pilots, rollout at building level
Full district GAFE adoption
References:
1. Technology. 2015. In ​Merriam-Webster.com​.
Retrieved July 9, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology
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