A carefully developed technology plan will help to ensure that your district or charter school have secured the resources you need to make effective use of all telecommunication services and Internet access, including: computers and peripheral equipment, staff training, software, and a budget for operating costs and maintenance. The budget must include estimated costs with available and potential funding sources for all areas addressed in the plan.

Technology Formula Funds:
Amount of formula funds allocated for your district for Title II, Part D for the current year of this plan.
Method of application for funds: (Local Application, Application via a Title II, Part D Shared Services Arrangement or Cooperative, or REAPed)

The planning amounts for Title II, Part D for 2006-2007 are available on TEA's web site.

Budget Detail:
Cost and funding sources for the following budget categories for each year of your plan:

• Staff Development Costs and Funding Sources
• Telecommunications and Internet Access Costs and Funding Sources
• Materials and Supplies Costs and Funding Sources
• Equipment Costs and Funding Sources
• Maintenance Costs and Funding Sources
• Miscellaneous Expenses Costs and Funding Sources

Example:
Total amount of formula funds allocated to your district for Title II, Part D for the current year: $5666.00
Method of application for Title II, Part D formula funds: Local Application

Budget Detail - 2005-2006 (Year 1)

Budget Notes:

A. Budget Crosscheck
The total amount of money you have allocated in the Objectives for each LRPT category is listed in a table at the very bottom of the Budget Detail section broken out by category. Directly above this table is the total amount of money included in the Budget Detail section. Those totals must match. Please check your figures.

Example:

Total Technology Expenditures (indicated about): $90,000.00

The sum of the total amounts currently allocated in the Objectives for this plan (shown below) must match the Total Technology Expenditures included in the Budget above.

B. Personnel Costs in the Technology Budget
Personnel costs are important for a true picture of what it costs to implement a technology plan but which personnel are included should be clearly defined.

Districts should include only those personnel or the portion of their time that is dedicated to technology plan implementation.

For example, the salary of a classroom teacher or campus principal would not be included even though they do play a role. Districts would budget for them even if they didn't implement technology. A campus or district technology specialist would count - 100% if that is all they do and proportionately if they have other responsibilities. Other positions should be viewed in a similar manner.

C. Funding Sources in the Technology Budget
Funding sources that should be incorporated in the Technology Budget include:

• NCLB Title II, Part D formula monies
• Technology Allotment
• E-Rate
• local funds, etc.
• All other funding besides the dedicated technology funding used to implement the strategies of the plan should also be included. For example, technology has been integrated throughout NCLB thereby providing opportunities for additional funds. Title I and Special Education funds are excellent examples of funding that can be used.

D. Required Budget Amount for Staff Development
In the Long-Range Plan for Technology, the Educator Preparation and Development Recommendation 01 states: Allocate at least 30 percent of technology budget for staff development.

This means that the district would dedicate at least 30% of their overall technology budget to staff development. While this is the ideal, it is a recommendation - not a requirement. Failure to dedicate at least 30% of the overall technology budget for staff development will not prevent your plan from being recommended for approval.

The only requirement for expenditure of monies for staff development is in regards to NCLB Title II, Part D funds. At least 25% of those funds must be spent on Staff Development unless the district elects to REAP the Title II, Part D funds.

E. REAP
If 100 percent of the funds from a fund source are redirected under REAP, the LEA does not have to meet the intent and purpose of the original program, nor is the LEA required to submit an evaluation for the original program. However, if the LEA redirects less than 100 percent of a fund source, then the original intent and purpose must be met with the funds remaining in the original fund source, and the program evaluation requirements for the original program must be met.

F. Staff Development Percentage for Title II, Part D
At least 25% of the Title II, Part D formula monies must be allocated to staff development unless the district elects to REAP the Title II, Part D funds. Use these steps to double-check your math to ensure compliance with this requirement.

• Go to the Budget Section
• Calculate 25% of the total amount for Title II, Part D formula funds received for the current year of the plan. Example: Total amount of Title II, Part D ($4000) times 25% = $1,000
• Find the amount and percentages included in the budget for Staff Development for each year of the budget. Example: Year 1: Total Staff Development budget = $3000 (60% local and 40% Title II, Part D)
• Calculate the percentages. (60% = $1800 LOCAL and 40% = $1200 TITLE II, PART D
• The plan meets the 25% Title II, Part D requirement if the calculated percentage is equal to or greater than 25% of the Title II, Part D funds. In this example, TItle IID funds = $1200 which is greater than the $1000 requirement.
• Repeat for each year of the plan.