Growing with Technology Awards

USD 231 Gardner Edgerton Schools

Public Sector
Second Runner-Up

URL: www.usd231.com
Location: Gardner, KS
Employees: 700 full-time, 36 part-time
Executive Sponsor: Lora Baugher, Director of Information Systems
Cisco Products: Cisco 6500-series switches

A School District that Expands the Full Potential of Technology

Located in the town of Gardner, Kansas, the Gardner Edgerton School District is one of the top-performing districts in the state. To improve student learning, the district has made such extensive use of technology that it's now completely transparent in the classroom as a teaching tool. Every day, Gardner Edgerton students are building their own Websites, writing Wikis, interacting with students from other countries, and creating PowerPoint presentations. Each school in the district has a Website, where teachers can post class assignments, along with education materials that students can access. On these sites, students can view class schedules, turn in assignments, collaborate with other students, and more.

Improving Results Outside the Classroom, too

This technology edge extends to the district's administrative systems, which use an IP network infrastructure, student management system, time and attendance software, and IP phones to improve productivity without the need to hire additional personnel. The district's impressive Website and professional development give it an edge in recruiting prospective, technology-savvy teachers. And the district uses the Internet extensively to market itself to the community to generate support and funding. By embracing technology completely, the Gardner Edgerton School District has benefited not only students, but teachers, staff, parents, and the community as well.