Statement of Need  

The Baltimore County Public Schools' Telecommunications Policy has been an excellent one, but it is nearly 5 years old. The law, educational practice, and technology have all changed considerably in that time. As a system, we need a current state-of-the-art model, an improved format for the communication and ongoing administration of the model - especially in sites where we have key personnel turnover, and a method for periodic review and revision of this policy. Without such an update, we face tremendous liabilities and potential litigation as a system and as individuals. We become limited in our ability to restrict inappropriate or harmful computer use by students and to maximize employee accountability. Our Deputy Superintendent, Chris Johns, has given her approval and encouragement for us to convene a horizontal team to update our telecommunications policy and procedures. We have the opportunity and the obligation to complete that task, and given the quality of our current document, it should be a fairly succinct process.

.

 
 Committee Membership
 Department of Technology    Greg Barlow
 Department of Technology   Steve Ball 
 Ridgely Middle (TABCO designee)    Chris Beard
 Area Office    Ron Boone
 Perry Hall Middle    Joyce Caldwell
 Library and Information Services    Della Curtis
 Department of Technology    Thomas Delcher
 Department of Human Resources    Tena Ellis
 Secondary School Administrator, Catonsville Middle    Tom Evans
 Elementary School Administrator, Jacksonville Elem.    Alex Hajimihalis
 Office of Communications    Charlie Herndon
 Law Office    Margaret Ann Howie
 Overlea High    Kay Jones
 Department of Technology and Special Education    Marsye Kaplan
 Office of Professional Development    Linda Meyer
 Franklin High    Anne O'Neil
 The Education Channel    Todd Porter
 Student Services and Alternative Programs    Dale Rauenzahn
 Supt. Staff/Ethics Committee    Risa Schuster
 Library Information Services    Art Stritch
 Department of Instructional Technology    Michael Weglein

.
 
  Committee Goals  
  • Update and revise as necessary the current BCPS telecommunications policies and rules, utilizing new laws, court rulings, changes in technology, and the most current BCPS and MSDE policies and practices.
  • Establish a systemic review process, which will provide for periodic review and revision of these policies by appropriate school system personnel.
  • Establish an ongoing procedure for consistent and efficient systemwide administration of all telecommunications policies and rules.
    .
 
 Meeting Dates and Agenda
.
 
 Resources  
 .
Professional Research Library... Carolyn Mollenkopf, Professional Research Librarian, will provide to committee members resources such as online literature searches, fulltext journal articles, and books. She has available over 500 online scholarly databases through BCPS subscription to Dialog. Contact Carolyn by email or phone (4908) to make your information request.
 
   

  Internet Links
Published by Della Curtis, Coordinator
Office of Library Information Services
January 2001