The Cherry Creek School District's commitment to academic excellence for all students includes providing the educational tools and resources that are essential to learning and achievement in the 21st century.

In late 2007, the district completed a comprehensive survey on technology use in our schools and formed a district-wide Technology Coordinating Council to assess the district's current and future technology needs.

At a recent Board of Education meeting, Chief Information Officer Ben Startzer presented five technology recommendations designed to ensure that the district has the technological infrastructure and resources necessary to support academic excellence and student achievement.

Those recommendations are:

1) Long-Range Technology Plan - Develop a long-range technology plan to improve learning opportunities and student achievement across the district.

2) Fiber Optic Network - Investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of creating a Fiber Optic Network for the district because current bandwidth will not meet future needs.

3) Student Information System - Assess and improve this vital system, which not only provides valuable information to teachers and administrators, but also to parents, who can monitor their students' academic progress through Powerschool and other program

4) Data Warehousing - Improve the district's ability to manage and store data in order to improve instruction and student achievement and meet state and federal data requirements

5) Business Information Systems - Complete the Government Finance Officers Association readiness assessment for future upgrade or replacement of the district's business systems, most of which are more than 20 years old

"Learning is our core business," Startzer said. "Everything presented here is fundamental to enhancing student instruction and achievement, including our traditional business systems."

The Board of Education will study the technology recommendations and work with staff and community members to determine what actions to take.