Ten Years of One-to-One Technology in Citrus County Schools: A Story of Commitment and Success

Popular estimates suggest that 65 percent of children entering grade school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet.

These images are from a 2013 School Board workshop meeting at Citrus Springs Middle School. CSMS was the site of the first one-to-one pilot.

Ten years ago, Citrus County Schools embarked on a journey to integrate technology into the classroom by implementing a one-to-one initiative, providing each student with a school device. Today, that commitment has paid off as 100% of all students now have a school-issued device. This forward-thinking approach to technology in education has not gone unnoticed, as the United States Department of Education, Florida Education Commissioner, and others have praised Citrus County for ensuring that technology is transforming teaching and learning.

This dedication to technology education has far-reaching benefits for students, as popular estimates suggest that 65 percent of children entering grade school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet. By providing students with exposure to the latest technology and the skills to use it, Citrus County is ensuring that its students are prepared for success in their post-high school careers and schooling.

Citrus County’s leadership in technology education was recognized in November 2014 by the United States Department of Education recognized the success of Citrus County Schools, stating that the district was “earning high marks from state officials, students, and teachers for ensuring that technology is actually transforming teaching and learning.” In August 2016, then Florida Educational Commissioner Pam Stewart praised the district for its dedication to digital learning. “What you’re going to do today (in Citrus County Schools), in regards to digital learning, is really incredible, and I can tell you, it’s probably not happening across the state in very many places,” she said.

The district’s commitment to technology education was put to the test in March 2020, when Florida Governor DeSantis and then Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked all schools to immediately develop an Instructional Remote Learning Plan due to the pandemic. While other districts struggled to provide students with devices and the necessary technology to continue learning, Citrus County was able to quickly transition to distance learning because nearly every student already had a school-issued device.

Citrus County Schools Director of Technology Kathy Androski, who was a teacher in the initial one-to-one pilot, reflects on the progress made in the last ten years. “If you would have told me ten years ago when I was one of the teachers of the 1:1 pilot that I would become the director of technology for the district, I would have never believed it. I truly LOVED what I was doing and had such an amazing team of educators and leaders I was working with. We supported one another through all of the trials and tribulations and formed a think tank group. Innovation occurred and as we refined our craft, we found that we could be both creative and standards-based for student success.”

This success truly been a collaborative effort and would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the many individuals involved in the one-to-one technology initiative This has truly been a collaborative effort, including Kathy Androski (current Director of Technology), Dan Koch (now Professional Learning Senior Specialist for Apple), April Barker, Principals David Roland and Vicki Lofton, Superintendent of Schools Sandra “Sam” Himmel, past and current School Boards, Assistant Superintendents Mike Mullen, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum Mark Klauder, Retired Director of Curriculum Technology Dr. Michael Geddes, former District Curriculum Technology Specialists Jim Kelley, Matt Biggs, and Jerry Swiatek, former Title 1 Tech Shaunda Burdette, former District Education Technology Coaches Lisa Paprzycki, Brennan McNally, Mary Leonard and Megan Spelich, current District Education Technology Eileen Jenkin and Ashley Kurutz, Coordinators of Technology Lance Fletcher, all the other numerous other technology aides and specialists, classroom teachers, principals, administrators, educators, parents, and, of course, the amazing students. (I am so sorry if I have forgotten anyone.)

As we look ahead to the future, it is clear that technology will play a crucial role in shaping the careers of today’s students. With its commitment to technology, Citrus County Schools is ensuring that its students have the skills and exposure they need to succeed in this rapidly changing world.

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Coastal Camp Citrus 2023 applications are now open!

Attention middle and high school families!

Coastal Camp Citrus 2023-day camp applications are now available at http://mss.citrusschools.org

Click on the Coastal Camp Citrus tab underneath the webpage banner and please carefully read all the information before contacting us for questions regarding this summer camp.

Deadline for completed applications is April 17, 2023.

Completed applications may be mailed or scanned & e-mailed to the Marine Science Station using the information on the first page of the application.

If you use inter-county mail, PLEASE make sure the envelope is labeled for the Marine Science Station (MSS).

Middle School and High School applications are attached within this email for distribution to interested students and parents via your various communication outlets.  Please assist us by reaching as many eligible Citrus County School District students and their families as possible by sharing this information.

We are grateful for the leadership within the Citrus County School District, from Superintendent Sam Himmel, and from the Citrus County School Board for allowing the Marine Science Station the privilege of offering Coastal Camp Citrus as an outstanding summer learning enrichment opportunity for our students.

We are appreciative for the financial support from our educational partners at the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Kings Bay Rotary Club, as well as our many other past sponsors who help Citrus County students in financial need attend this camp.

As always, thank YOU for helping us get the word out to students and families about the Marine Science Station and our summer enrichment programs!

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HS Students learn about hospital careers at Citrus Hospital

Today was an incredible day for 42 high school students from all three local high schools as they got a firsthand look at the exciting world of healthcare at Citrus Hospital! HCA Florida Healthcare, Citrus Hospital is committed to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage by providing early exposure, training, and economic opportunities to students. Many of these students are members of their school’s respective HOSA – Future Health Professionals clubs and Sriya Chandrupatla, a junior in Lecanto High School International Baccalaureate program and President of LHS HOSA was the brains behind this idea.

The students were given an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital, including the operating room, cardiac catheterization lab, emergency services, rehab, diagnostic imaging, and plant operations. But in addition to these traditional medical areas, the students also visited and learned about other essential departments, facilities services, and more. They had the opportunity to meet with the Bayflite helicopter and Medflight team on the helipad and learn about the critical role they play in providing medical transport services to the community. This was an unforgettable experience for the students as they got to see the equipment and learn about the work of the flight crew.

These hands-on learning experiences provided the students with a wealth of knowledge about the healthcare industry and helped them make informed decisions about their future careers. The chief executive officer of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, Lisa NummI, is thrilled to see students getting exposed to the healthcare industry and inspiring them to pursue careers in the field and make a positive impact on our community. She hopes that the exposure will contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

As a school board member, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend and support this great opportunity for our students. It is our hope that the hands-on learning experiences provided today will help students make informed decisions about their future careers and contribute to the development of a well-educated and highly-skilled healthcare workforce in our community.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Shaunda Burdette and the Citrus County Education Foundation, Vandana Chandrupatla, CCSB Director of Secondary Schools Darrick Buetter, CCSB PIO Lindsay Blair, Citrus Hospital Communication Director Katie Myers, LHS, CHS and CRHS HOSA club sponsors, Citrus County Schools, Citrus Hospital CEO Lisa NummI and HCA Florida Healthcare Citrus Hospital for making this day happen. Without their support and dedication, this educational opportunity would not have been possible. We are so proud to provide these opportunities and can’t wait to see these students make a difference in the healthcare industry in the future. Thanks to Sriya Chandrupatla for her initiative that made this possible!

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