Levy Dollars at Work

Capital Levy Update: Tech Integration
Internationally recognized peer-coaching program

Integrating new technology into the classroom requires training for teachers as well as students. The Edmonds School District has created a model program for peer-to-peer technology instruction. Microsoft has licensed the program and it is using it around the world in places as far away as Brazil and Indonesia.

Right in our own backyard at Oak Heights Elementary, teacher Susan Scanlon served as a coach for fellow teacher Terri Smith. They worked together to find creative ways to use technology to enhance their learning environments. Their collaboration led to the development of the “Washington State Community Leader Project” where their fourth-grade students used the power of the Internet to contact leaders such as Governor Christine Gregoire, Superintendent Nick Brossoit, and Senator Maria Cantwell. Students learned how to write and send emails and how to use multimedia software to prepare exciting reports.

Fourth-grader Gerrelan Balarbar researched Congressman Jay Inslee’s background and created a PowerPoint presentation about him, which she showed to her classmates by projecting it onto a big screen with the help of a document presenter. This new technology and teacher training was a result of funding from the passage of the Capital Levy in May 2004.

Below is the schedule and contacts for each of the projects funded by the voter-approved Capital Levy.

Timeline for projects funded by the levy:

I. Instructional Technology ($20 million in total)

1. Classroom Teaching Stations ($6 million) – Cynthia Nelson and Kim Mathey
   1. 2004-05: purchased document cameras and digital projectors for every classroom
   2. 2005 -06: will install an instructional computer in every classroom, (580 laptops rolled out to 11 schools as of October 2005), wireless mobile labs in all schools, multi-function printers in all schools; Implement a Lifecycle Management System to maintain all computers in the district;
   3. Beyond 2005-06: complete installation of equipment
2. Network Upgrade ($5 million) – Cynthia Nelson
   1. 2004-05: consultant developed 4-year plan, cabling upgrade projects in 2 schools during the summer, 2005
   2. 2005-06: installation of wireless networks in all facilities,
3. E-reporting System ($3 million) – Kim Mathey
   1. 2004-05: system selection
   2. 2005-06: purchase and installation of servers to run system, installation and training on new software; pilot project at elementary schools
   3. Beyond 2005-06: completion of implementation of the system at all schools
4. Computers for Student Use ($4 million) – Cynthia Nelson and Kim Mathey
   1. 2004-05: Development of the criteria for which classrooms will receive technology tools; implementation in approximately 19 classrooms
   2. 2005-06: Technology tools for approximately 100 classrooms
   3. 2006-07: Technology tools for approximately 150 classrooms
   4. 2007-08: Technology tools for approximately 120 classrooms
5. Tech Support ($2 million) – Cynthia Nelson and Kim Mathey
   1. 2004-05: hired Instructional Technology Manager and Levy Field Technician
   2. 2005-06: plan to hire Instructional Technology Coordinators, Field Technicians and Lifecycle System Administrator

II. Earthquake and Science Lab Safety ($11 million in total)

1. Seismic Upgrades at 26 Sites ($10 million) – Ed Peters
   1. Budget: $500,000 in 04-05, $2.5 million in 05-06, 06-07, and 07-08, $2 million in 08-09
   2. 2004-05: consultant developed specific plans for each building, created four packages of projects to be done each summer for the next four years
   3. 2005-06: first group of schools to be upgraded during summer, 2006
2. Science Lab Safety at all middle/7-8 and high schools ($1 million) – Ed Peters
   1. Budget: $75,000 for 04-05, $250,000 each year for 05-06, 06-07, and 07-08; $175,000 for 08-09
   2. 2004-05: consultant developed specific plan for each science classroom
   3. 2005-06: first of four groups of projects will be done during summer, 2006

III. Pre-Design of LHS and SLH ($3.5 million in total) – Ed Peters

1. Budget: $1.55 million for 04-05, $1.65 million for 05-06, $300,000 for 06-07
2. 2004-05: completion of preliminary design and ed specs for LHS and SLH, beginning of schematic design for LHS
3. 2005-06: completion of schematic design for both LHS and SLH

IV. Outdoor Facilities/Fields and Capital Partnership Projects ($9.5 million in total)

1. Athletic Field Upgrades at middle and high schools ($4.5 million)
   1. Budget: $1 million each year for 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, and 07-08; $500,000 for 08-09
   2. Completed: Track improvements at LHS, MHS, and District Stadium, summer 2005
   3. Planned: completion of additional athletic field projects outlined in levy
2. Field improvements at 18 schools ($4 million)
   1. Budget: $100,000 in 04-05, $1 million per year in 05-06, 06-07, and 07-08, and $900,000 in 08-09 — Brian Harding
   2. 2005-06: planned improvements; Drainage, Irrigation and Turf Renovation ($385,000) at Cedar Way, Hilltop and Westgate; Fencing ($114,000) at Brier Elementary, Cedar Way, College Place Elementary, Edmonds, Hazelwood, Meadowdale Elementary and Westgate; Backstop Upgrade ($120,000) at Alderwood Early Childhood Center, Cedar Way, Hilltop, Lynnwood Elementary, Madrona, Spruce Elementary, Westgate and Woodway Elementary; Asphalt ($405,000) at Lynnwood Elementary, Westgate and Woodway Elementary. — Brian Harding
   3. 2006-07: planned improvements: Drainage, Irrigation and Turf Renovation ($680,000) at Beverly, Evergreen, Hazelwood and Oak Heights Elementary; Fencing ($45,000) at Evergreen Elementary; Backstop Upgrade ($75,000) at Beverly Elementary, Cedar Valley K-8, Evergreen, Hazelwood and Oak Heights Elementary; Asphalt ($200,000) at Evergreen Elementary. — Nick Chou
   4. 2007-08: planned improvements; Drainage, Irrigation and Turf Renovation ($255,000) at Brier Elementary and College Place Elementary; Backstop Upgrade ($15,000) at Brier Elementary; Asphalt ($160,000) at Lynndale Elementary. — Nick Chou
3. Community Partnerships ($1 million)
   1. Budget: $250,000 per year, beginning in 05-06 and continuing through 08-09
   2. 2004-05: Application information to be distributed in June, 2005
   3. 2005-06: First round of applications due October, 2005

V. Election Costs – Bill McKeighen

1. 2004-05: Paid $165,641 to Snohomish County for cost of running the 2004 Capital Levy election