Mike Ward: State Superintendent, NCDPI
South Smithfield: South Smithfield Primary, Johnston County
Coopers: Principal and Teachers at Coopers Ele, Nash-Rocky Mount
Kay Williams: Communications Staff, NCDPI
SSP Technology: South Smithfield Primary, Johnston County
Mamie: Licensure and School Support Staff, NCDPI
Chris Cobitz: Technology Specialist, North Carolina A&T
Randolph County Sch: Technology Specialist, Randolph County Schools
Ms. White:??
M.B. Smith Ele:??

Mike Ward: Hi, folks. I'm really on line now. Happy Thursday, even though it feels like Friday! To get started, tell me who is on line.
Mamie: Good morning, Dr. Ward. Good morning also from your friends in Licensure and School Personnel Support. Brock and Linda are with me.
South Smithfield: William Williams, Sue Wood, Becky Best
chris cobitz: Good morning, I'm the instructional technology specialist at NCA&T
Coopers: Hello. My name is Barbara Rivenbark and I teach 2nd grade.
SSP TECHNOLOGY: We are 2nd graders and we can see you!
Mike Ward: South Smithfield, can I get some questions from the students? I'd also like to get some questions from the teaching fellows at NCA&T. Thank you for making the decision to invest a career in teaching.

SSP TECHNOLOGY: We are 2nd graders learning about animals and we love this!
Mike Ward: S. Smithfield, I like animals, also. I work in South America as a volunteer sometimes, and I've seen some very interesting animals there. Have you ever seen a llama?
Coopers: I am a 2nd grade teacher from Coopers and I have a question. I would like to know the rationale from the legislature for re-increasing class size when we have worked for many years to get smaller class size?
Mike Ward: Ms. R, I'm not sure of the legislation to which you're referring. The legislature did not move to increase class size this past year, but they also did not continue to move the class size reduction up to grade 3, as they had done in K-2. There were some targeted reductions in the middle schools. The State Board is asking the General Assembly to continue class size reductions in this year's session.
Coopers: Thank you for the answer. I also see a need for more funding for teacher assistant positions. Are there any future plans for expanding this program? My class is reading about llamas now and we have used Picture Atlas to visit Peru and have gone on the web for pictures and information on llamas. It is a great way to "travel" in the classroom but we need internet. Hey, everybody, where are your CU-SeeMe pictures?
chris cobitz: Related to class size, I would think there would also be a need for increased building space and recruiting more teachers. Is that built into the class size legislation?
Mike Ward: Chris that's a good question. A lot of new construction is going on, but much of it is to relieve existing overcrowding. Class size reduction needs to take place at a pace that is manageable with facilities in mind.
Coopers: As I was saying, we do need Internet in the classroom.
Mike Ward: Ms. R, you make a good point about TA's. The more immediate concern is TA salaries, and there are plans on the books to improve compensation for TA's in this year's legislative session. Regarding llamas and S. America, I try to teach a couple of times a month, and my favorite lessons are about South America. Maybe you can invite me sometime.
Mike Ward: Ms. R, I didn't answer your concern about internet access. We're pushing hard on this and other technology needs. Are you aware of the Technology Literacy Challenge Grants? They're due in May. I hear there may be some Johnston County school board members on line. Is this correct?

chris cobitz: One major problem with using grant money for internet access is that the access fees are on-going. So unfortunately, when the grant cycle runs out, the school must either lose the tool or do more grantwriting.
Mike Ward: Chris, you're right. You have to find other sources for ongoing access fees. The new e-rate makes these fees a lot more reasonable.
chris cobitz: E-rate is truly helpful. Unfortunately, as time goes on, grants to acquire and use technology become more like grants to acquire and use textbooks or electric for lighting.
Coopers: Yes, I am talking with Karen Creech, EOL, with DPI and we're working on it. Our system has received this grant last year and is applying for it again this year. Ms. Rivenbark must go back to class, but would love to invite you to her class sometime to talk about S. America.
South Smithfield: Mr. Ward, some of my reading group students wanted you to say hello and tell a little about your work.
Mike Ward: S. Smithfield, thanks for asking about my work. I work closely with the Governor and members of the General Assembly to pass good laws for schools and to provide money and support for schools. I also spend a lot of time working with principals and teachers in local school systems, hearing about their concerns and trying to help solve problems. My favorite thing to do is to get into classes with students.
Coopers: Mike, it is so exciting to have the opportunity to talk with you.
Mike Ward: Ms. R, please call Dianne in my office and let's schedule something for early fall. Our number is 715-1299.

TC Staff: Welcome Randolph County School, can you introduce yourself
Mike Ward: Randolph County, which school(s) do you represent?
Randolph County Sch: Yes, this is a first for us in Randolph County and I am really just previewing before telling our folks about this. It is amazing. Carolyn Swain, Tech Spec.
Mike Ward: Thanks, Carolyn. We'll look forward to seeing you on line with other RC colleagues in the future. 

Coopers: Hello Mike, I am Hunter Stone, TAG facilitator and Enrichment teacher. We love our program and we want to thank you for our special funding.
Mike Ward: Hi, Hunter. Have you folks had spring break yet?
Coopers: Starting tomorrow. Do you get any time off?
Mike Ward: We had spring break earlier. I have a son who is a college freshman, and a daughter in high school. They had spring break in mid-March, and the whole family got to travel together. Do you have big plans for the break--like recovering from January - March?

Mike Ward: I asked earlier about Johnston County board members being on line. Are you out there? I've got a compliment for you!
South Smithfield: Sue Wood, here. Johnston County Board members are not here, but I will be glad to relay the message.
Mike Ward: Jim Causby did an excellent job of explaining Johnston County's proficiency-based promotion policy to the State Board last week. Your example will be of tremendous value to us as we consider such a policy for the state.
South Smithfield: What a nice compliment, I will certainly relay the message to him. Dr. Causby wanted to be here this morning, but had a conflict. If possible, he will be here at our town meeting with Jim Barber.
Coopers: I'm excited about the fact that Rocky Mount was chosen to be a model site for developing a new plan for the academically gifted.
Mike Ward: Coopers, congratulations! I'm pleased by the example you're setting. We need positive models of best practice in order to help all school systems improve.
Coopers: I want to share a very exciting event with you. The Easter bunny came early and brought me a new granddaughter - Ann Hunter Stone.
Mike Ward: Congratulations, Hunter! But you sound too young on line to be grand parent. P.S. I learned to say stuff like that when I was campaigning for office!
Coopers: That's why I voted for you. ;-)
Mike Ward: Thanks to all of you for joining me on line today. Are there any final questions, comments, or editorials before I go?
chris cobitz: Thanks for sharing some time with us.
Mike Ward: bye
Coopers: Mike, we appreciate you, and hope you have a great Easter
Mike Ward: This is Grace - Thanks to all of you who took part in the Town Meeting with Mike Ward. We will be back on line at 3:00 with Jim Barber. He will be talking about Visions for Technology. Hope to see you all again!