CMS teachers get tablets and training

Some people have asked about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' plans to give teachers tablets and expand the district's  "bring your own technology"  program.  Here's the update Superintendent Heath Morrison sent the school board Friday:

"During the past year, Technology Services has completed upfitting CMS technology infrastructure, installing wireless connectivity in all CMS bricks-and-mortar classrooms, and increasing Internet bandwidth. We are now able to support Bring Your Own Technology in all schools."

"This year, the technology focus is on providing technology tools for teaching and improving classroom technology by increasing the number of mobile devices available for students and teachers. Additional classroom sets of iPads have been delivered to K-5 and K-8 schools. Mobile carts of Chromebooks have been delivered to middle schools. All K-5 classroom teachers have been assigned an iPad."  

HP Revolve tablet

"Beginning next week, we are giving an HP Revolve touch-screen Windows 8 tablet to each teacher in grades six through 12 to support technology integration. The teachers will also receive training and have individual questions answered to continue integrating technology into their teaching. School leaders may opt to give out the devices and train teachers at a regularly scheduled staff meeting or in small groups during planning periods." 

"This is the first time that CMS has provided such technology to every K-12 teacher. We will also provide professional development throughout the year to help teachers achieve the next level of technology integration -- and prepare our students for college, careers and life-long learning. This work is being coordinated and executed through the collaboration of instructional technology, professional development and learning and teaching services."

Seven big CMS budget questions

Superintendent Heath Morrison rolls out his first budget today,  a little less than a year after he was hired to lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.  Here are the big things I'm wondering:

Large raises?  Morrison knows morale has been bad and employees are frustrated by stagnant wages.  Will he ask county commissioners for another big chunk of money to bump up what the state approves,  like interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh did last spring,  or take the more traditional path of following the state's lead?  And will some form of performance pay be incorporated?

How much for technology?  We don't have to wonder if the budget will include a big request for money to provide internet access in schools.  Morrison has said online testing requirements make that a mandate, not an option.  The question is how much -- and how much that leaves for other projects in a tight budget year.

What kind of choice?  Again, we know Morrison is big on increasing options within CMS.  The question is how far he'll go with that in 2013-14 and where he'll find money.

Changes in busing or bells?  Some parents and teachers have been pushing hard for Morrison to find money to change school hours and/or restore busing options that were cut during the recession.  They'll find out this evening whether that made the cut.

More school guards?  The board has already approved spending capital money to beef up school security.  Now we'll see whether Morrison plans to add police officers, security guards or both,  and what it will cost.

Cultural competency?  A cultural competency program won't be a big-ticket item, but it'll be a talker.  Morrison drew equally fervent praise and criticism earlier this year when he talked about hiring racial equity consultant Glenn Singleton. Morrison has gone silent on that subject for the last couple of months. But it's hard to imagine he'll wait another full year before tackling something he has repeatedly described as one of his top priorities.

Real cuts?  CMS always touts millions of dollars in  "reductions and redirections,"  but those tend to be expenses that went away on their own or shifted from one funding source to another.  Big, real cuts are tough.  But Morrison came in with fresh eyes and a surge of popularity.  He's got to find money for his own vision,  and county commissioners don't exactly have their checkbook out. We'll soon see whether Morrison is going to make big sacrifices to free up money.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.  You can show up to comment on the capital plan,  make remarks on any topic or dress like a zombie to protest testing. Or you can watch from the comfort of your own computer.

The people speak: Technology tops budget list

Getting better technology into schools is the top priority for more than 11,000 people who responded to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' online budget poll, according to results presented this week.

Enhancing school safety was a close third,  after two tech-related items.  When asked to rate specific security items,  buzz-in entry systems were the most popular with employees, parents, community members and students who responded.

Superintendent Heath Morrison,  County Manager Harry Jones and top staff members are meeting today to make another run at a plan for school safety improvements, which include buzz-in systems and 8-foot chain-link fences around campuses and mobile classrooms.  The school board voted unanimously Tuesday to ask commissioners for approval to spend almost $34 million.  But some members now say they might have voted differently if they had realized that spending would require delays in other projects promised during the 2007 bond campaign, including construction of two new elementary schools.

At the other end of the public-opinion spectrum,  expanding prekindergarten and diversity efforts got the lowest priority ratings in the survey,  though a majority still rated those efforts important.

The survey is designed to inform Morrison and the school board in shaping a 2013-14 budget.  Ninety percent of respondents called for increasing teacher salaries,  even if it limits other investments.  The CMS board has limited power over that decision,  with the state picking up most of the tab for teacher pay.

Opinions were split on whether CMS should spend millions to reduce class sizes.  The wording of that question seemed slanted toward a negative result,  with people rating their agreement or disagreement on  "class sizes should be reduced despite the cost, even if that reduction comes at the expense of programs that drive academic achievement"  and  "class sizes should remain unchanged given the cost tradeoff,"  which was introduced as $9.6 million to add one teacher per school vs. $130,000 to build one classroom.

To keep up with budget developments, check the CMS budget web page.