Natick Public SchoolsTechnology Presentation

February 6, 2006

Dennis Roche, CISA

Director of Technology

My Background

• Financial Services

• Healthcare

• Travel

• Power Generation

• Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)

Technology Department Mission

• Establish and maintain a reliable and secure technology infrastructure.

• Provide technical support and on-going training to all faculty and staff.

• Manage third party technology vendors and service providers.

• Collaborate with faculty, staff and administrators on new technologies.

Impact of Technology

• Administrative Functions

• Classroom Technologies

• Assistive Technologies

Technology Vision

• Implement best of breed solutions from K-12, higher education and the business world.

• Create an open environment that embraces multiple platforms and multiple clients.

• Allow use of personal computing devices and in safe and secure fashion.

Technology Challenges

• Expectations– Up to date – Reliable & secure– Easy to use– It simply works - a tool to get things done.

• Moving Target– Constant change– IP based networks and services– Convergence of video, voice and data– Wired and Wireless solutions– Doing nothing means falling further behind

The Reality Today is…

• Struggle to provide basic services• Communication is a challenge• Network is not secure• Not all critical data is being backed up• Files are not being shared on servers• Not all devices can communicate• Major outages are common due to aging

equipment, poor design and implementation• No documentation or written plans

The Good News!

• We realize we have a problem.

• Everything is fixable.

Technology Audit

• Discovery & Assessment

• Recommendations

• Action already taken

• Develop our Plan

Technology Audit Summary

• Need to assess and develop technical skills of the Technology Department.

• Great technologies in place but poorly managed and implemented.

• Technology is a tool to achieve an end and we should be selecting tools based on need and not personal preference.

• No documentation or written plans

Technology Plan

• Staffing

• Infrastructure

• Applications

• Professional Development

Technology Staffing

Technology Staffing

Technology Staffing Recommendations

• Creation of new positions– Help Desk Manager– Web Master

• Additional Staffing Actions– Create new Help Desk positions.– Upgrade secretary position to 12 months.– Transfer SIS support team from Town.

Technology Infrastructure

• Secure the Network• Fix Network

Communications • File Storage and

Backup• Rebuild Servers• Cabling & Switches

Technology Applications

• Administrative– Website– Email Server– Student Information System– Data Warehousing Solutions– Document Management

• Classroom Technologies– Computers– Interactive White Boards– Assistive Technologies

Professional Development

• Offer classroom based training throughout the year.– During and after school– School breaks and over the summer

• Investigate on-line documentation and self study materials.

Technology PlanYear 1 - FY06

Secure the Network 15,000

Network Communications

15,000

Rebuild Servers & Domain

60,000

Wiring Closets 46,000

MS Office Tools 33,000

Business & Science Labs 28,000

Total 197,000

Technology PlanYear 2 - FY07

Website 50,000

Email System 10,000

Wiring Closets 50,000

Workstation Replacement 100,000

Total 210,000

Technology PlanYear 3 - FY08

Student Information System

150,000

Classroom Technologies 80,000

Equipment Replacement 50,000

Total 280,000

Summary

• Build an effective Technology Team

• Commitment to Annual Funding

• Focus on Professional Development