EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The School District of Wabeno Area recognizes the impact of information and technology on our society.  We have moved from a localized learning environment into a global learning center.  The district recognizes the mobilization of the workforce and society.  The School District of Wabeno Area believes that information and technology skills are essential to the development of productive life-long learners in the 21st century.  Students must be able to function in a mobile environment flooded with information.  They must analyze, synthesize, and evaluate all forms of information and apply it effectively.

The district must communicate and reinforce the premise that learning is a life long endeavor.  The stakeholders must be informed and given access to all forms of information and technology.  It is our responsibility to deliver all means necessary to develop an understanding and appreciation of a global society.

Previous technology plans focused mainly on the acquiring of hardware and software needs, basic technology skills and application for staff and students.  This plan will strive to make information and technology a vital component of the curriculum not just simply another add-on.  All stakeholders need the exposure and applications to the world of technology. 

 The main goals of this three year plan are:

 
Goal 1: Student Achievement. Students will learn various technology resource that will be used in post high school and or career paths.
Goal 2: Effective Teaching and Learning Practices: Teachers and staff will expand on 21st century skills and personalized learning models.
Goal 3: Access to Information Resources and Learning Tools: Expand the use and availability of information technology for teaching and learning to all stakeholders.

This three year plan is a blueprint to the future of information and technology for the School District of Wabeno Area.  The committee will meet quarterly to review and make recommendations as needed.  This plan will be reviewed and revised as needed to accommodate the goal and expectations of the stakeholders.

Information and Technology Mission Statement

 

The School District Of Wabeno Area believes that information and technology skills are essential to the development of life-long learning in the 21st Century.  As a culturally diverse community, the School District of Wabeno Area will work in harmony with respect for one another, providing a safe and superior learning environment, enabling individuals to reach their fullest potential and become caring, contributing life long learners in our ever-changing local and global society.

 

Ties to District Vision and Mission Statements

The School District of Wabeno Area Mission Statement reads, “The School District of Wabeno Area will work to provide a superior learning environment, enabling individuals to reach their fullest potential and become contributing, life long learners in our ever-changing local and global society.”

The Information and Technology Committee used the District’s Mission Statement as the foundation for the creation of the Information and Technology Mission Statement, building on the base statement to create a more detailed reference to the mission of the District in relation to technology and information use.


Background Information

Community/School District Demographics

The School District of Wabeno Area is located in Northeastern Wisconsin, 75 miles northeast of Wausau and 85 miles northwest of Green Bay.  The District expanded in 2004 by 12 square miles with the addition of Riverview which increases our district to 348 square miles covering parts of 4 Counties.  A large portion of the school district is federal property encompassed by the  Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.  The closest post-secondary institution is Nicolet Technical College which is 50 miles away in Rhinelander. 

The area economy is mainly based on logging and tourism.  There are several employers in and around the school district, including Wisconsin Public Service, United States Forest Service, Potawatomi Bingo and Northern Lights Casino, Indian Springs Lodge, Carter Casino and Hotel, Nicolet Plastics and many small businesses related to tourism, logging and construction. 

The school buildings serving the School District of Wabeno area students are located in Wabeno.  There are two buildings consisting of a PK-6 elementary school and a 7-12 junior/senior high school.  The Wabeno Board of Education consists of seven members who are elected by area appointment.  There are four board members elected from the Forest County area and three board members elected from the Oconto County area. 

The district is administered by one District Administrator and two principals, one for PK-6 and one for 7-12.  Overall, there are approximately 80 full and part-time employees in the district. The district's current student population as of September, 2013, is 431 students in grades PK-12 of which 20% are Native Americans. There has been a steady decrease in the student population for the last ten years; current projections indicate the student population should be more stable for the next 5 years.