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Developing a School District Web Presence

Organizing the Project

By looking at most district websites, it's clear to see that "organization" is the fundamental variable that separates a good site from a great site. Consider the following:

1. The entire process should be overseen and orchestrated by the central administration of the school district.

2. The central administration should elect a committee to oversee the project. The committee members should be computer literate and have a basic understanding of the how to surf the Internet. The committee should represent members from all the groups that have the ability to benefit from the website.

3. The commiteee should have an adequate number of brain storming sessions to decide what should be offered on the site. In addition, the committe members should investigate what other schools have produced.

4. Once a conceptual design is considered, members should identify ten or less catergories to be represented on the site. The catergories represent the main subsections of the website.

5. Decide what will be offered within each subsection. Make sure it will consist of information that is of public interest.

6. The committee should then begin to develop a district policy for posting information on the web site, i.e., who can post information, when can information be posted, and what can be posted.

7. Make sure not to allow staff to post student names or pictures on your site without the consent of the students and their parents. Get it in writing! If it can be avoided, do not allow student information to be posted.

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