BACK-OFFICE BUSINESS: HOW SCHOOLS GET IT DONE

Wireless overhaul yields improved reliability, simplicity

PROBLEM: Harrisonburg City Public Schools, located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, used Netgear and Apple wireless access points, but maintaining wireless coverage was a challenge.

SOLUTION: The school chose Aerohive wireless solutions and divided the wireless LAN into separate networks. One provides secure faculty access to the student-management system; another is for a library cataloging system that enables wireless scanning to check books in and out; and a third is for guest access.



New England schools improve literacy while kids have fun

PROBLEM: How to build strong foundational reading skills in nearly 1,700 schools and learningresource centers across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

SOLUTION: These schools selected the Lexia Reading program, which offers more than 900 activities for reading-skills development. Margaret Adams, director of Balanced Literacy and Title I at Malden Public Schools in Massachusetts, particularly likes the small-group instruction and Response to Intervention. Pamela Rosenberg of the Bridgeport (CT) Public Schools said they’ve been so pleased with the results, the schools expanded their program to include students in grades one through three district-wide.



Ohio schools add wind energy, save thousands a year

PROBLEM: Perkins Local Schools in Sandusky, Ohio, contended with an outdated and inefficient infrastructure. Along with improving it, the district wanted to reduce its dependence on traditional energy sources.

SOLUTION: Perkins turned to energy-services provider Honeywell to better understand the renewable landscape. The company helped the district analyze several options by using its Renewable Energy Scorecard. The district then worked from a financial forecast based on tax implications, rebates, subsidies, and other incentives for renewables, such as solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal. The resulting project is expected to generate operational and maintenance savings of around $56,000 a year without a loss of maintenance personnel.



California educators honored for communication excellence

PROBLEM: How to merge four north Sacramento area school districts into
a new district of 27,000 students in 54 schools, covering 120 square miles.

SOLUTION: The administrators created a communication model that included measurable results, face-toface communication, and a vision for expanding ways to communicate. They showed parents and communities the benefits of their vision for the future of the schools and for their children’s education. This effort led the Twin Rivers Unified School District to be named the 2010 recipient of the Leadership Through Communication Award from the AASA.



Source of Information : Tech and Learning February 2010