Minutes

Redesigning Committee for District Webpage January 27, 2011

Notes: Purpose of our District Website: We are not just doing this b/c we don’t like our website. Our website has served us well…but now it’s time to take it to the next level! “We are going to be in Harnett County what other people talk about” ~Tom Frye

History: Four years ago, we housed a server that hosted websites…problem, you had to have a certain skill set “DreamWeaver” (Not the best solution) We applied through eRate to get a Hosted solution…School Center won the bid. It allowed schools and teachers to have their own websites as an instructional tool.

Where are we NOW? We have a Hosted Solution. However, we need to evolve and go to something greater. 1. The voice they hear when they called the BOE….Sabrina 2. Our Website…If our parents/others go to our website and it is grossly out of date, we are looked upon as being “behind”.

We need to put a lot of thought into what is going to “jump off” the homepage.

Instruction and student achievement is why we are here. It’s our job to give parents resources. Bethany Stevens – Info. From Federally Connected Programs About Best Practice: Two clicks should get the parents to the information they need.

It’s got to be a shared responsibility…we do not have a sole person that is in charge of our website. Our information now is mostly static. Some of our department pages are out of date. Goals: Start with the end in mind…what is the end? Update our current website…sometimes less is more! Patricia Harmon-Lewis will be in charge of homepage…It is up to the schools to provide current information. She suggested linking podcast, highlighting our students.

Think about someone trying to fill out an online application, but can’t locate it. If it is cumbersome to apply for a job…then it will probably be cumbersome to work there.

Public Information is being shared on the web. Website should be rich…but not sensory overload.

“The district website is an opportunity for encouraging two-way communication.” ~Dr. Holmes

David Tillman contributed: “The website needs to be intuitive, more than one way to access information, and clean.”

Beth Blanchard- “Think about what we are putting on the web. We need to consider condensing the information.”

Dr. Holmes suggested a shared calendar to put on the website.

Before next meeting: Complete Committee Evaluation Form: and Survey Visualize the homepage…Jumping off page! The entry to Harnett County Schools Bring it to the next meeting. Legislation says we shouldn’t duplicate effort… Forms: Individual forms related to that department should be on the web and maintained by that department.

Amber Wise is working on the correct way to create a form in Word.

Dr. Holmes expressed the need for interactive PDF forms. Full version of adobe is required.

__**April 14, 2011 Meeting**__ Members Present: Vickie Kendrick Amber Wise Tara Roy Johnisha Campbell Allison Taylor Jeff Pittman Beth Blanchard Jennifer Byrd Patricia Harmon-Lewis

HCS needs a website that:
 * Looks good
 * Easy to navigate
 * Intuitive
 * Consensus that Johnston County's website is a nice model.
 * Visual- Slow transition
 * Not too busy
 * Subtle

Patricia Harmon-Lewis suggested rebranding with a new look (Other than the Harnett County Board of Education Seal)

All were in agreement that we need to determine what goes on the homepage with limited tabs (In alphabetical Order) Two Tabs Beside the Search Box (Top Right Hand Corner) > > __Tabs that will go under Harnett County Schools Banner__
 * Staff
 * Contact Us
 * District**
 * 1) About Harnett County Schools (Include map of schools)
 * 2) School Board
 * 3) Central Service Departments
 * 4) Curriculum and Instruction
 * 5) Testing and Accountability
 * Parents**
 * 1) Enrollment/Capped Schools
 * 2) Student Reassignment
 * 3) Forms
 * 4) Transportation
 * 5) Nutrition Menus and Forms
 * 6) District Calendar
 * Students**
 * 1) Student Resources
 * 2) Lunch and Menu
 * 3) College and Career Ready
 * 4) Athletics
 * 5) Drivers Ed
 * Schools**
 * 1) Bell Schedules
 * 2) Driving Directions
 * 3) Bell Schedules
 * 4) Handbooks, etc.
 * Human Resources**
 * 1) Prospective Employees
 * 2) Current Employees
 * 3) Vacancies(?)
 * 4) Substitute
 * Community**
 * 1) Volunteering
 * 2) Partnerships
 * 3) Community Involvement
 * 4) Facility Usage