Information Technology is responsible for all technology infrastructure and enterprise software systems across the division.  Our goal is to implement, maintain, protect, and share information management systems that enable us to make informed decisions. We are dedicated to providing relevant and meaningful information in a timely manner to support administrators, teachers, and parents as we work together to educate our students.

 

Information Technology provides support through several teams:

• Building technicians (located within the schools) for general support and repairs
• Software and solutions developers for student information, financial, transportation and other school information systems support
• Infrastructure/engineers for data center, local and wide area network, telephony and video surveillance systems
• Student Information System (SIS) end user support specialists for operation of the student information system

Building technicians provide laptop and desktop support for teacher, student and administrative personal computers, repairs and related requests through a team of approximately 18 building technicians.  The building technicians also diagnose and repair audio-visual systems such as Promethean interactive projection systems and access to network resources, servers and related systems.  Building technicians also provide support for benchmark and SOL testing, video surveillance systems, printers and other peripherals. 

Software and solutions developers produce custom software solutions for end-user needs, including state and federal mandated reports, student performance analysis, systems integration and process automation.  The development team manages student information systems interfaces and upgrades, custom configurations and reports, and recurring operational tasks.  Developers also manage the division’s enterprise financial system and several departmentally based applications including food services, transportation, special education and custom applications for special circumstances or requirements.

 

Infrastructure team members are engineers responsible for the data center including climate control of the facility, backup and disaster recovery operations, management of the databases, servers and appliances.  The data center currently houses over 15 terabytes of data.  Data center operations also include management of the division’s security systems, Internet filters, e-mail, Google Docs, single sign-on, authentication and support systems.  The infrastructure team also oversees the local and wide-area networks, school-based servers, wireless and remote access, cable TV within the schools including broadcast facilities, the VOIP telephone system and video surveillance systems.

 

The SIS support team provides support directly to teachers and administrators for the proper use of the student information system.  The SIS team assists teachers in the recording of grades, attendance, configuring the electronic gradebook, filing disciplinary infractions and related classroom information activities.  SIS support also assists administrators for production of report cards, progress reports, processing of disciplinary dispositions and related school activities.  SIS support also provides assistance with guidance activities such as scheduling, transcripts and course planning, and support to the division for enrollment, state and federal reporting, special programs, athletics, special education and related SIS activities.

 

The Department of Information Technology is complemented by Innovation and Professional Learning which provides instructional support to teachers for integration of technology into curricular activities.  Innovation and Professional Learning also manages media services through school libraries and operates the division’s library management system.