It could mark the end of a long paper trail in Chartiers Valley School District. At a meeting last month, board members and administrators carried computers rather than those cumbersome packets of paper.

The nine board members and six administrators have been issued new Web-based software on district computers. The software supports the display of meeting agendas, district policies and other attachments.

Proponents claim the new system, sometimes called online governance, saves time, money and gasoline, and frees employees from the weekly task of copying, assembling and distributing documents for the board packets.

"Everything's right at your fingertips," said Director Jeff Choura, who first learned about online governance at a school board convention in Kentucky 14 years ago.

He credits board President Patti Figorski with spearheading Chartiers Valley's paperless initiative.

"We've been talking about this for a long time," said Mrs. Figorski, who also had seen the concept at conventions.

To make the move, the district is using software called BoardDocs, a product of Emerald Data Solutions in Marietta. Ga.

According to its Web site, www.BoardDocs.com, its soft-ware, available since 2001, "has been developed for school boards, local government, private and public boards to help alleviate the enormous task of assembling, printing, distributing and revising agenda items and policies."

Director of Finance Nick Morelli said the district spent $3,700 to install the program, but that $1,000 of that amount was a one-time fee for setup. Next year's cost will be $2,700. Training is provided. However, as with any new system, there is a learning curve. To prepare, some board members got together using an old agenda for a trial run, Mrs. Figorski said.

And, there are future decisions to be made, such as how to store archived documents. For now, Mr. Morelli is keeping hard copies of all items that pass his desk, particularly if they pertain to finances, which face state scrutiny.

"All you have to do is be able to read," Director Mary Lou Petronsky said. "If I want to review something we did three months ago, I can."

Emily Gudewicz, a 54-year district employee who had the responsibility of preparing the weekly packets, is another fan because it's made her work easier. Now, instead of stuffing packets, she sends an e-mail that the information is online.

"I think it's great. I like new challenges," Ms. Gudewicz said.

And, there are environmental advantages, too. "We're trying to go a little bit green. We thought this was one way to conserve," Mrs. Figorski said.

Chartiers Valley has joined a small but growing number of school districts that are turning to paperless operations. Others include West Jefferson Hills, Pine-Richland, North Hills, Deer Lakes and Keystone Oaks.

Printed agendas will still be available at district meetings, or can be accessed through the district's Web site, www.cvsd.net.