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Board delays vote on instructional-technology coordinator amid cost and priority concerns
Summary
The board heard a proposed administrative-level instructional technology coordinator job description and public comment from teachers. Trustees voted to table the item to the next meeting while staff gathers more information about costs, funding sources and potential partnerships.
The Galt Joint Union Elementary School District board postponed a decision on creating an administrative-level instructional technology coordinator after public comment and trustee questions about priorities and funding.
Teacher representative Kristen Zipper, speaking in public comment, said some teachers would welcome additional instructional-technology support but asked whether staff had surveyed teachers to determine priorities and whether the district had considered lower-cost alternatives. "We have ideas," Zipper said, and she cautioned against creating a higher-salary management position at the expense of classroom needs such as reducing combo classes and restoring music programs.
District staff described the proposed role as a site-level administrator with an administrative credential. Staff said the job would oversee instructional-technology strategy, help develop AI and privacy policies, coordinate professional development and support curriculum implementations that include digital tools. Staff emphasized the difference between the district’s technical team (networking, Chromebooks and infrastructure) and the proposed coordinator, who would focus on instructional integration and teacher coaching.
Staff suggested initial funding could come from discretionary one-time block grants (the district’s rough estimate of discretionary block funding was presented as approximately $1 million for the district), and staff confirmed the addition would remain within the district’s administrator-to-teacher ratio. Board members asked for detail on expected costs, share arrangements with the high school district and teacher demand for technology coaching.
Trustee Catherine Harper moved to table the job-description item to the March meeting to allow more information gathering; Trustee Wesley Cagle seconded. The motion to table carried unanimously (Trustees Casey Raboy, Annette Coonsie, Matthew Ward, Catherine Harper and Wesley Cagle voted aye).
Ending: Staff will return with additional cost estimates, possible funding scenarios and information on regional sharing options and teacher demand; the board will reconsider the item in March.
