New District Technologies
Launch the media gallery 1 playerRed Oak Community Schools received approximately $212,000 in vouchers from Microsoft as a result of a settlement with the State of Iowa. One half of the money must be spent on software while the other half can be spent on hardware and professional development. All expenditures must be related to a part of the Iowa Core Curriculum.
To date, ROCS has purchased a new automated library system that is available to all students and parents via the district website. This system replaced four older systems that operated independent of one another and were accessible only at school. The district has also adopted Infinite Campus, a new student information system, to replace Schoolmaster. This system is accessible via the internet as well and will soon provide parents to access their students’ information via the school website. More information and training will be coming soon.
Computers equipped with wireless network adapters, webcams, Windows 7, and Microsoft Office have been purchased for student use at each building. The High School and Middle School each have a mobile lab containing 25 laptop computers. Inman has 2 mobile labs equipped with 27 netbooks and Washington has 1 mobile lab equipped with 25 netbooks. Teachers are able to check out the mobile labs for use in their classrooms. Remaining Microsoft vouchers will be used to cover the cost of Infinite Campus and Follett over the next 3 years, required evaluation of the settlement program, and additional hardware and software.
In addition to the Microsoft Settlement, the district was able to purchased hardware and software using Title 1 funds and preschool grant funds. The Title 1 classrooms at Inman Primary and Washington Intermediate will have laptop computers, interactive projectors, and new reading software soon. Right Start Preschool is using 4 new touch screen computers and a Smart Table.