INFORMATIONAL

  The Department of Education is pleased to announce several
  major new developments in Virginia's Public Education
  Network (PEN).  Please know that we sincerely appreciate
  your continued support of our efforts, your patience and
  understanding during our periods of building a better
  network, as well as the many helpful comments and
  suggestions we have received.

  First, we have now completed installation of over 200 new
  local telephone lines in more than 70 localities throughout
  Virginia.  This provides local access for more than 90% of
  Virginia's K-12 schools.  Installation of these additional
  lines has improved access for all users.  Attached please
  find a current listing of all local/800 access numbers
  available in Virginia.  For those subscribers still unable
  to access the network via a local phone call, we have also
  begun improvements to our "800 service."  When this phase of
  our improvement plan is complete, 800 service will be
  available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  We will keep
  you informed of our progress in this effort.

  Next, the Department of Education has formally adopted new
  consolidated policies for Virginia's PEN.  The document,
  "Virginia's Public Education Network Consolidated Policies"
  may be found on our home page (www.pen.k12.va.us/go/VDOE). 
  This document delineates the network's purpose, its
  acceptable use and policies governing its operation.  Please
  pay special attention to the new acceptable use policies. 
  In particular, personal "home pages," which are no longer
  permitted, must be removed by July 1, 1997.  Also,
  subscribers are no longer limited to one hour of access time
  per day.  Individual "sessions" are still limited to one
  hour, but subscribers may log in for as many one hour
  sessions as necessary.   


  SUPTS. MEMO. NO.  84 
  May 16, 1997
  Page 2


  Finally, we are pleased to announce the appointment of
  Mr. Jerry Mathews as our new executive administrator of
  Virginia's PEN.  Jerry has served as a local teacher and
  principal, and has filled many different roles since joining
  the Department of Education in 1980.  His instructional and
  technological experience make him well suited to lead our
  future efforts to deliver a quality product to Virginia
  school divisions.  Jerry's first responsibilities will
  include implementing PEN's new consolidated policies. 
  Please do not hesitate to contact Jerry should you have any
  questions or concerns (jmathews@pen.k12.va.us, or 804/225-2950).

  Management of this network is an evolving process.  Again,
  please know that we welcome your suggestions for future
  refinement and improvement of Virginia's Public Education
  Network.


  RTL/jt

  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its attachment
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.


  Note: The attachment to this memo is the current list of PEN
  phone numbers which is located on PEN from the main
  menu,under Archives of Documents, Virginia's PEN Guidelines
  and Phone Numbers, VA.PEN Access Phone Numbers.