With each book adoption process, curriculum software is examined and adopted to support and enhance the curriculum. This software is selected because it aligns with state and local curriculum standards, and it can be integrated into and supported by the existing technology system.

In addition to curriculum software, WCCS has provided access to student information, utilities, gradebook, databases, spreadsheets and many other utilitarian software programs. This software helps us to do our tasks more efficiently and effectively. Although this software is not selected on a regular basis, there is a selection process to follow.

As the technology services have matured and the demands for software increases, it is very important to create processes and procedures that will present the best technology solutions to support the business of education. Increased thought and deliberation is needed more now than in the past to select this software. Why is this software needed? What are the expectations of the software? How will it be known when these expectations are met? Who will it impact? What is the evaluation process? What are the training issues? Who is in charge of this process? Does the software provide a means to track student performance? If not, how will student performance be tracked? These are important questions whose answers will determine whether software is added, maintained or removed.

If there is a piece of software you feel important enough to get on the approved software list, there is a process to follow. The process includes the completion of a form that ask the questions mentioned in the previous paragraph and a list of people whose signature of approval must appear at the bottom of the form. By completing this process, the approving committee will be able to present supportive software to the students and a process for continuous evaluation of the software’s performance.

The form is available at wccs.k12.in.us/distsrvs/tech/Forms/Service_request/SWreque.htm or go to the WCCS website, central office, technology, technology forms, and software request form and fill in the template. After completing the form, print it, and send it to the first level of approval, the second level and so on. The more information you provide the more likely everyone will understand your enthusiasm and rationale for the software. If you need assistance with the form, please call the helpdesk.

Working together and using technology can make a difference for both students and educators. The IT Department is here to help you with your software selections.

Special points of interest:

· There is an approved software procedure.

· Unapproved software may hinder normal network processes.

· Pirating software is illegal.

· All WCCS software must be licensed.

· There are stiff federal, state, and local penalties for pirating software.

Loading and Using Unapproved Software

An IT technician may have asked you if a piece of software located on your computer has been approved. Each technician has been instructed to keep a look out for unapproved software and report it to the technology director. Because the focus is on maintaining a dependable technology system for all, please do not download Internet programs without following the new software request procedure, and please do not take offense to these questions.

There are two reasons why this is being done. First, WCCS licenses Text Box: Pirating software is the same as shoplifting. software from a variety of companies. Many of these licenses are limited to specific users, and therefore only a limited number of licenses are purchased. Neither WCCS nor its employees have the right to distribute any copies of software without the appropriate number of licenses. The only software that legitimately can reside on WCCS computers is software that is licensed to WCCS or Huntington Whitley Special Services. If you have purchased software for home use, it cannot be installed on a WCCS computer. Indiscriminate installations of software without the appropriate licenses are a violation of the copyright laws, WCCS acceptable use guidelines and policies, and it is tantamount to shoplifting.

Second, many of the bells and whistles that can be downloaded from the Internet may cause problems with the operation of previously installed software. There are several documented cases where WCCS employees have downloaded Internet files only to find out their e-mail is no longer accessible or some other service has been disrupted. By requesting software through a new software request process will give the IT Department a chance to test the software and help eliminate the need to call the helpdesk because a download interferes with normal technology services.

The form is available on the WCCS website, Central Office, Technology Forms, and Software Request Form. After completing the form, print it, and send it to the first level of approval, the second level and so on. The more information you provide the more likely everyone reviewing the form will understand your enthusiasm and rationale for the software. If you need assistance with the form, please call the helpdesk. Working together and using technology can make a difference for students, educators and support staff.

Jack Caster                   Technology Director

Linda Blain                    Secretary

Lon Jones                     Lead Systems Tech

Anne Rainey                 Systems Tech

Ken Mitchell                 Systems Tech

Chris Cawvey              Lead Building Tech

Ron Ahrndt                  Building Tech

Elaine Bultemeier          Building Tech

Bill Willcutts                 Building Tech

Text Box: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

MISSION STATEMENT

In order to support, promote and move forward the mission of WCCS through the use of technology, the IT Department is dedicated to promoting technology services to all students, administrators, teachers and staff. The IT Department is committed to delivering these services in a timely and professional manner.