Staff expected to raise
technology competency

“We’re in the education-business,” says Dr. John Folks, superintendent. “And this is a great opportunity for us to embrace additional technology education for ourselves.”

Folks is talking to the Board of Trustees describing a new program called “Technology Core Competency for Employees.” All employees with computer access (all administrative and professional staff, teachers, and auxiliary and classified staff such as secretaries, instructional assistants, police officers, head custodians and cafeteria managers) will be encouraged to increase their technological knowledge and skills over the next few years.

A District committee, made up of staff from Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Business and Finance, Staff Development, Guidance and Counseling, Human Resources, Administration and Technology Services, developed a set of core competencies that NISD employees must know in order to do their jobs effectively.

Core Competencies are clearly defined technological knowledge and skills required for job performance. It is primarily a competency checklist for all employees, based on technology use in the classroom and workplace. The competencies are in four groups: District administrators and professional staff, teachers, campus administrators, and auxiliary and classified personnel.

One core competency training opportunity has already taken place this past month when presentations were made regarding the Acceptable Use Policy. Other core competencies include Groupwise, Network basics, Printer basics, Acrobat Reader, Word, Internet Explorer, and the use of the Intranet. Others would be required based upon job requirements such as Access, Excel, Student Activity Fund, Cognos Reports, PowerPoint, to name a few.

“The purpose of the core competencies is to clearly identify the skills necessary for job performance in a checklist kind of way,” says Kelly Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Technology Services. “Then use the list to see where you are now and where you would like to improve.”

The training taken can be used toward the PDAS and SBEC Technology Applications Standards required for teachers.

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Folks' Sayings
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I am so proud of our Northside students who embrace this attitude of being drug-free. Whether it is by participating in the school activities during the week or through character education programs, Northside students are embracing the challenge.

Look for the “Red Ribbon Week” pictures located elsewhere in this publication to see all the wonderful things that our schools, students and staff did to honor Kiki in the work that he started. Let’s let every week be a Red Ribbon week!