San Ramon Valley

 

With students at the heart of San Ramon Valley Unified School district, this technology plan is committed to serving all students to thrive, engage, and contribute (TEC) in a connected digital world. The plan has been thoughtfully crafted by a committee of SRVUSD students, educators, parents and community members who met once a month throughout the 2016-17 school year to discuss the important role technology plays in the district's overall mission. The goals and objectives in the plan are aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) standards and incorporate the passionate collective voices of ALL committee members. The purpose of the plan is to provide schools with a resource to empower all staff to make the pedagogical shifts needed to ensure all students have access to the technological capabilities of the 21st century.


SRVUSD recognizes the importance of embedding technology in 21st century education, but more importantly, the district's primary mission is to serve all our students and prepare them to flourish as responsible, ethical and productive citizens. SRVUSD has shown its commitment to fostering these important ideals by bringing digital citizenship education to the forefront of our technology program. Through the Digital Citizenship initiative, the district is committed to educating students, staff, and the community on the effective, ethical and safe use of online and digital tools. Our efforts to promote digital citizenship are chronicled through a district-wide, public digital citizenship blog. In addition, all schools annually promote digital citizenship week and several schools have shown their unwavering pledge to digital citizenship education by becoming certified through Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization committed to providing digital citizenship curriculum to schools across the world. By the end of the 2017-2018 school year, the district's goal is to have all schools on their way to digital citizenship certification.


According to ISTE, "today’s students must be prepared to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape. Zip codes and borders no longer determine the learning opportunities, skills and careers that students can access." This is not a new concept for SRVUSD schools. We have shown a deep, ongoing commitment, spanning more than the past two decades, to providing a continuously improving educational program that embodies the idea that technology tools enhance curriculum and productivity in our schools. Through the tremendous support of community partnerships and parent involvement, schools have increasing access to high-functioning technology devices. In the 2016-17 school year, the district partnered with San Ramon Valley Education Foundation to help schools further build their technology inventories by offering a matching funds grant. Our efforts around professional development for both certificated and classified staff have also grown. As well, SRVUSD continues to develop as a robust, digital community by vetting and implementing tools which facilitate more efficient communication and internal workflow, support data-based instructional practice, offer learning management solutions, and follow best practices around data privacy and cybersecurity. We continuously strive to grow our capacity in providing all students with engaging STEM activities, access to career technical education, and curriculum that fosters critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills required for success in college, career, and life. San Ramon Valley High School is our first site to implement a full 1:1 BYOD program where all students have access to their own digital device.

Amazing work is being done at SRVUSD schools, but it is the district's commitment to ensure that educational programs are continuously being improved. This plan provides schools with a foundation to write their own technology plans exclusive to the needs of their school. The Appendix provides resources to assist schools with implementing the technology goals and the objectives under each goal are examples of ways staff and students can reach the goal. We will continue to add relevant resources in the future. Both students and staff will be responsible for achieving foundational technology skills to fully apply the goals in this plan. The reward will be educators who skillfully mentor and inspire students to amplify learning with technology and challenge them to be agents of their own learning.

Vision, Purpose & Strategic Alignment 

Vision

San Ramon Valley Unified School District leverages technology to cultivate adaptive, ethical, and creative contributors who think critically, solve complex problems, and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. Technology serves as a catalyst for deep learning, intentional collaboration, and authentic engagement while strengthening operational excellence and safeguarding student privacy. At the heart of this work is a commitment to human connection—ensuring that technology amplifies teacher expertise, student agency, and relationships rather than replacing them. Technology is not the destination; empowered learners are.

The Technology Department operates as a strategic partner in advancing the district’s instructional and operational priorities. Through intentional planning, sustainable infrastructure, and forward-thinking design, the department ensures reliable, secure, and equitable digital access for every student and staff member. Technology systems are designed not only to function efficiently, but to anticipate evolving needs, reduce barriers, and create the conditions for innovation across classrooms and departments.

The district protects student data through strong cybersecurity and governance practices while supporting instructional growth through ongoing professional learning and thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Technology investments are guided by instructional impact, equity, safety, sustainability, and fiscal stewardship—ensuring long-term alignment with district goals and community trust.

 

This Technology Plan aligns with SRVUSD’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), District Strategic Directions, the SRVUSD Learner Profile, and applicable board policies and regulatory requirements. It serves as a living framework that guides infrastructure planning, cybersecurity investments, professional learning, and multi-year fiscal strategy.

 

Through ongoing stakeholder engagement, continuous improvement, and transparent reporting, SRVUSD maintains a proactive, innovative, and student-centered technology ecosystem—one that builds trust, strengthens instructional practice, and supports the whole child.

Instructional Technology & Learning Design

This section outlines how technology serves as a catalyst for innovative instruction and student engagement within the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD). Our approach prioritizes learning outcomes over specific tools, ensuring that technology is used intentionally to support the SRVUSD Strategic Directions and the Learner Profile.

Instructional Use Cases: Creation, Collaboration, & Accessibility
Technology is integrated across disciplines to foster the skills of Intentional Collaborators and Creative Contributors.

• Creation: Students use digital tools to enhance—rather than replace—their intellectual efforts, using them as a guide to extend critical thinking.
• Collaboration: Digital environments are used for respectful communication and global collaboration, following the principles of "No Place 4 Hate" and school-specific codes of conduct.
• Accessibility & UDL: Technology supports Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by providing diverse ways for students to engage with content and express their learning, ensuring equitable access for all learners. 

AI Literacy and Responsible Use
SRVUSD empowers both students and staff to navigate the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with integrity and critical awareness.

 

Student Expectations

• Academic Integrity: Students must cite AI-generated content following academic standards and use AI in ways that do not compromise original thinking.
• Critical Evaluation: Students are taught to question all sources including AI outputs for potential bias, stereotypes, or inaccuracies.
• Access Levels: Access is tiered depending on collaboration with Education Services when appropriate to roll out. 

 

Staff Responsibilities

• Privacy-First Approach: Staff are to use premium, district-provided AI tools (Google, Microsoft, Adobe) that offer contractual safeguards for data privacy.
• Data Protection: Employees must never input personally identifiable information (PII) or confidential student data into AI interfaces.
• Instructional Integration: Staff are to model responsible AI use and draw upon "Learning With AI" resources to support productivity and instruction.

 

 

Our technology framework is intentionally mapped to:

• CDE Guidance: Alignment with the California Department of Education’s guidance on AI in education.
• ISTE Standards: Integration of ISTE Standards for Students, including roles such as Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, and Knowledge Constructor.
• SRVUSD Responsible Use Agreements: Parents review these agreements annually during enrollments, students review with parents and in the classroom with teachers. 

 

SRVUSD follows a developmental progression, moving from teacher-led recognition of technology to ethical, independent creation and evaluation.

SRVUSD’s technology guidelines are aligned with the California Department of Education guidance on artificial intelligence in education, ISTE Standards for Students, and SRVUSD Responsible Use Agreements. The progression from early recognition of technology (TK) through ethical creation and evaluation (grades 9–12) ensures that students build a strong foundation in digital citizenship, critical thinking, creativity, and ethical use of emerging technologies like AI.

Equity, Access, and Inclusion

Infrastructure & Network Systems

Cybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance

This section details the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) multi-layered defense strategy designed to safeguard the digital identities of our students and staff while ensuring the continuity of district operations. Our approach moves beyond simple compliance toward a mature cybersecurity posture that integrates technical controls with continuous human-centered education.

 

 

SRVUSD has implemented a "Defense-in-Depth" strategy to mitigate evolving cyber threats.

 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Universal Requirement: All staff are expected to use MFA to access their district-issued devices and SRVUSD-managed software.
• Supported Platforms: MFA is required for critical systems including ClassLink, Infinite Campus, Google, Microsoft, Frontline and QSS (financials) 
• Flexible Hardware: While smartphone apps are the standard, the district provides physical keys or authentication via iPads and Chromebooks for staff without mobile access.

 

Endpoint Protection

• Advanced Threat Detection: The district utilizes an AI-native cybersecurity platform, for EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) to identify and stop breaches in real-time.
• Device Management: Staff and student devices are managed via Meraki SM and Jamf, allowing for remote wipes of lost or stolen hardware and ensuring all systems receive the latest security patches.

 

Phishing Awareness & Training

• Bi-Annual Training: All staff are reminded annually of cybersecurity training on phishing awareness and incident reporting.
• Reporting Tools: Staff are empowered to report suspicious emails directly through the "Report Phishing" option in Google Workspace, which immediately alerts the Network Team.

 

 

SRVUSD maintains a comprehensive Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) based on CISA recommendations and IT best practices.

• Dedicated Teams: Responses are coordinated by the Network Team to balance technical remediation with legal and public communication.
• Phased Response: The district follows a seven-phase workflow: Prepare, Report, Investigate, Contain, Eradicate, Recover, and Post-Incident Review.
• Containment Priority: In the event of a breach, the immediate priority is isolating affected systems to prevent the spread of malware or unauthorized data exfiltration.
• Recovery Targets: Critical systems, such as voice services and the SIS, have established recovery timelines to minimize disruption to learning and business operations.

 

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is committed to fostering a safe, transparent, and secure digital learning environment for all students. As part of this commitment, our technology plan is built upon a foundation of strict adherence to federal and state privacy laws, ensuring that innovation never comes at the cost of student safety. The following video and summary provide an overview of the "Golden Rules" SRVUSD follows to protect student data. These sections detail the specific protections provided by FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and SOPIPA, and outline the proactive measures the District takes—from rigorous software vetting to advanced content filtering—to maintain compliance and empower our students to become responsible digital citizens.

 

 

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

• The Law: Protects the privacy of student education records. It ensures parents and adult students have the right to review records and prevents the disclosure of "personally identifiable information" (PII) without consent.
• SRVUSD Compliance:  SRVUSD employs a structured RACI Matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to manage its software ecosystem and data flows.

• Centralized Oversight: The Director of Technology serves as the primary owner for mission-critical workspaces (Google, Microsoft) and security platforms.
• Role-Based Access: Access to sensitive systems like Infinite Campus (SIS) and QSS (Financials) is strictly governed by positional roles to ensure that staff only access the data necessary for their specific functions.

COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

• The Law: Regulates how websites and online services collect data from children under the age of 13. It requires clear privacy policies and verifiable parental consent before data collection.
• SRVUSD Compliance: 
• Vendor Vetting: The district utilizes a DPA (Data Privacy Agreement) Clearance process via CITE to ensure third-party vendors meet California's rigorous data protection standards.
• Approved Software: Only district-vetted and approved software is permitted for instructional use, preventing the unauthorized exposure of student PII (Personally Identifiable Information).

CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act)

• The Law: To maintain eligibility for federal E-rate funding, schools must employ technology protection measures (filters) that block or filter internet access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or otherwise harmful to minors. Schools must also monitor the online activities of students.
• SRVUSD Compliance: 
• Tiered Network Filtering: The District utilizes Palo Alto Networks firewalls to manage WiFi access. This system applies customized filtering categories across multiple dedicated networks (INST, ADMIN, and GUEST), ensuring that students, staff, and visitors receive access levels appropriate to their specific roles.
• 24/7 Device Monitoring: Beyond the school network, SRVUSD employs Securly on all district-issued devices. This provides continuous content filtering and uses AI to monitor for harmful sentiments, such as cyberbullying or signs of self-harm, alerting staff when intervention may be necessary.
• Teacher Empowerment: To support flexible classroom instruction, teachers have the ability to dynamically manage web access, allowing them to "filter-in" or "filter-out" specific sites in real-time to align with daily lesson plans using Securly.

 

 

SOPIPA (Student Online Personal Information Protection Act)

• The Law: Prohibits EdTech providers from using student data for targeted advertising, building permanent "student profiles" for non-school purposes, or selling student information.
• SRVUSD Compliance: 
• CSPA Partnership: SRVUSD partners with the California Student Privacy Alliance (CSPA) to ensure all vendor contracts include legally binding data privacy agreements (DPAs) that strictly follow SOPIPA and AB 1584 requirements.
• Managed Access: Students are restricted from accessing social media platforms on the district network. Furthermore, YouTube access is tiered by grade level (Elementary, Middle, and High School) to ensure that content is age-appropriate and aligned with developmental needs.

 

To support these legal frameworks, the district asks families to participate in two key ways:

• Annual Update: Families must review and sign the Responsible Use Agreement (RUA) each year.
• Transparency: Parents are encouraged to use the district’s SRVUSD Digital Approval List portal to see exactly which apps are approved and what data is being shared.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance

 

How do we responsibly use emerging technologies?

 

 

• A Focus on Equity: Ensuring all students have access to AI tools and literacy.
• Academic Integrity: Shifting the focus from "policing" AI use to redesigning assessments for authentic, deep learning.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly updating our policies to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

 

 

Instruction

• Develop complex, real-world problems for students to solve.
• Scaffold lessons for diverse learners.
• Enhance student agency by allowing learners to use AI as a thought-partner or tutor.

Productivity

• Streamline administrative tasks (e.g., email drafting, meeting summaries).
• Rapidly generate lesson plan ideas and rubrics.
• Analyze student data trends to inform instructional decisions.

Accessibility

• Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech: Supporting students with visual or motor impairments.
• Translation Services: Providing real-time support for English Learners and their families.
• Content Simplification: Summarizing complex texts to make them accessible to all reading levels.

Guardrails, Ethics, and Bias Mitigation

• Ethical Use: Monthly focus areas emphasize "Ethical Use of AI" and "Safety with AI," teaching students to evaluate AI outputs critically.
• Bias Awareness: Curriculum includes instruction on identifying algorithmic bias and understanding the limitations of large language models.
• Data Privacy: All AI tools used in the district must comply with student data privacy laws (e.g., SOPPA, COPPA).

Staff and Student AI Literacy

• For Staff: Professional development series (e.g., "AI for 6-12 English Teachers") and the "Embracing AI for Deep Learning" resources provide educators with the skills to use AI safely and effectively.
• For Students: The "Student Guide to AI Use" and Digital Citizenship Week resources teach students how to be responsible digital citizens in an AI-enhanced world.
• For Families: The "AI Parent Education Series" ensures that our community is informed and engaged in this technological shift.

 

 

Sources Used:

• SRVUSD Embracing AI for Deep Learning
• AI Guiding Principles one pager.pdf (Internal Document)

Professional Learning & Capacity Building

SRVUSD prioritizes people over platforms, recognizing that the effective use of technology depends on the continuous empowerment of our staff. Our strategy focuses on a decentralized, peer-led model designed to provide relevant, immediate, and sustained growth.

 

 

To ensure that professional growth is directly applicable to the classroom, the district utilizes Instructional Technology Leaders (ITLs) at each of our 36 school sites. These teacher-leaders drive innovation by:

• Modeling Best Practices: ITLs demonstrate the purposeful implementation of technology within their own classrooms to serve as a living laboratory for colleagues.
• Just-in-Time Support: Providing on-site troubleshooting and "just-in-time" guidance to help teachers overcome technical hurdles without interrupting instruction.
• Tailored Site Training: Collaborating with site administration to deliver professional development sessions that are specifically customized to the unique needs of their school's staff.

 

Our coaching framework moves beyond traditional workshops toward a collaborative, peer-to-peer support system.

• Instructional Integration: ITLs serve as expert resources, assisting peers with lesson design and identifying appropriate digital tools to support student intervention and innovation.
• Differentiated Coaching: Support is provided through various formats, including one-on-one coaching, small-group training, and staff meeting presentations to meet teachers at their individual proficiency levels.
• Collaborative Communities: Real-time collaboration is facilitated through a dedicated Google Chat space, allowing for instant idea sharing and problem-solving across the district.

 

We are committed to building leadership capacity around technology and digital strategy.

• Cohort Professional Growth: All ITLs participate in monthly district-level cohort meetings to receive updates on new initiatives, share best practices, and provide feedback that shapes the district’s overall technology strategy.
• Administrative Partnership: ITLs work closely with site administrators to align technology use with school-wide instructional goals.

 

Through the "Tech Talks" showcase on the SRVUSD IT YouTube Channel, leaders are encouraged to feature innovative instructional practices, serving as a catalyst for district-wide inspiration and growth.

Support Structures & Service Delivery

The Tiered Support Model

SRVUSD employs a multi-level approach to technical assistance, ensuring that issues are addressed by the appropriate level of expertise with clear escalation pathways. Each specialized team is guided by a Team Lead who oversees workflow, ensures service standards are met, and facilitates communication between tiers.

 

The first line of defense focuses on rapid resolution and localized expertise to keep classrooms running smoothly.

• Computer System Technicians (CSTs): These technicians are assigned to specific school sites to provide localized support. Support is customized by level: Elementary (foundational device management), Middle (1:1 environment support), and High School (advanced labs and CTE software).
• The Help Desk Team: Led by a Help Desk Lead, this team provides immediate, district-wide support via phone and digital ticketing. They handle password resets, software access issues, and initial troubleshooting to resolve high-volume requests instantly without needing a site visit.

Tier 2: Specialized Infrastructure & Program Management

When an issue requires specialized knowledge or relates to district-wide systems, it is escalated to our Tier 2 experts:

• The Device Team: Managed by a Device Team Lead, this group oversees the logistics of our 1:1 student device program. They manage the lifecycle of thousands of Chromebooks and tablets, including imaging, deployment, repairs, and the end-of-year collection process.
• Data Integration Team: Ensures seamless rostering and synchronization between our Student Information System (SIS) and instructional applications.
• Network Team & System Administrators: These teams manage campus-wide Wi-Fi, high-speed connectivity, and server environments (Google Workspace/Microsoft 365).

Tier 3: Management & Strategic Resolution

Tier 3 support involves Technology Services management and external vendors. This level focuses on systemic issues, large-scale hardware failures, or high-level security protocols. Management ensures that resources are deployed strategically to resolve complex integration challenges.

 

 

To ensure transparency and accountability, all support requests are channeled through the district’s centralized Help Desk System.

• Transparency: Staff can track the status of their tickets in real-time, providing visibility into response times.
• Prioritization: Tickets are categorized by impact, with "Classroom Down" scenarios receiving the highest priority.
• Standardized Escalation: If a Tier 1 CST or Help Desk technician cannot resolve an issue, the respective Team Lead ensures it is escalated to the appropriate Tier 2 specialist (e.g., Device Team for hardware or Network Team for connectivity).

Leadership and Site Partnership

Trust is built through consistent communication between technology leadership and school site administration.

• Regular Consultations: All Supervisors of CST teams meet regularly with site administration. These meetings are essential for supporting individual site tech plans, reviewing "Tech Health" data, and ensuring that the technical support provided aligns with the school’s specific instructional goals.
• Strategic Planning: This partnership ensures that Technology Services is not just a reactive "fix-it" department, but a proactive partner in achieving the school’s vision for student innovation.

Proactive vs. Reactive Strategies

While our Help Desk handles reactive needs, SRVUSD is shifting toward a Proactive Support Strategy. This includes predictive lifecycle management by the Device Team to replace aging hardware before it fails, and automated network monitoring to detect outages before they are even reported by staff.

 

While our Help Desk handles reactive needs, SRVUSD is shifting toward a Proactive Support Strategy. This includes:

• Predictive Lifecycle Management: Replacing aging hardware before it fails based on data-driven refresh cycles.
• Self-Service Portals: Empowering staff and students with a knowledge base of common fixes to resolve minor issues instantly.

 

Utilizing automated tools to detect network bottlenecks or outages before they are reported by users.

Budget, Sustainability & Stewardship

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is committed to a fiscally responsible and transparent approach to technology funding. In alignment with California’s expectations for fiscal restraint and intentionality, our budget strategy ensures that every dollar spent directly supports student learning and operational efficiency. We focus on long-term sustainability by moving away from reactive purchasing toward a predictable, multi-year financial model.

 

 

SRVUSD leverages a diverse portfolio of funding to maintain our digital infrastructure:

 

To maximize taxpayer investment, the district has implemented several rigorous oversight systems:

 

 

By integrating these systems, SRVUSD ensures that technology remains a stable, essential utility rather than a fluctuating expense. Our multi-year financial projections allow the Board of Education and the community to see the long-term roadmap, building confidence that the district is a responsible steward of public funds while providing a world-class digital learning environment.

Metrics, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

To ensure the SRVUSD Technology Plan remains a dynamic document rather than a static report, we have established a rigorous framework for measuring success and facilitating continuous improvement. By analyzing data across instruction, operations, and community feedback, we can pivot our strategies to meet the evolving needs of our students and staff.

 

 

We measure the health and impact of our technology ecosystem through four primary lenses:

 

Data alone does not tell the full story; we prioritize the voices of those using the technology daily:

 

To maintain public trust and institutional transparency, we adhere to a comprehensive communication schedule with district leadership and the community:

 

The Technology Services department conducts a formal review of the Tech Plan each spring. This process includes analyzing metric data, adjusting multi-year projections based on new LCAP goals, and updating district guidelines to address emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. This cycle ensures that SRVUSD remains a leader in purposeful, sustainable innovation.

Governance, Roles & Accountability

Effective technology implementation requires a clear understanding of "who owns what." SRVUSD maintains a structured governance model that ensures accountability at every level of the organization, from the Board of Trustees to the individual school site. This clarity prevents operational confusion and ensures that technology remains aligned with our district’s strategic vision.

 

 

 

SRVUSD utilizes a centralized governance model for all technology-related decisions to ensure system compatibility and data security.

 

We hold our partners to high standards of performance and ethics:

To ensure the plan is executed as intended, we utilize a system of checks and balances:

 

By establishing these clear lines of authority and rigorous workflows, SRVUSD ensures that technology serves as a reliable and secure foundation for student innovation.

Resources and Supporting Docs