Information Systems & Audio Visual              

 

Overview

 

Roles and Responsibilities:

Information Systems has the responsibility for all electronic software and hardware systems spanning three school districts and ten buildings. Duties include the installation and maintenance of all computer-related infrastructure (servers, switches, cabling, operating systems), about 2.500 user and email accounts, Web Server, email system, approximately 1,500 desktop computers, scores of networked printers, digital projectors, scanners, digital cameras, all software (curriculum and central office) and the districts-­wide digital telephone system.  .

 

Several years ago Information Systems absorbed the responsibilities of the former Audio/Visual Department that includes televisions, VCRs, DVD players, projection equipment, sound systems, analog telephones, PA systems and clocks.

 

Recent Accomplishments

·                     Increased wide-area-network (WAN) backbone speed by a factor of 1,000

·                     Consolidated network servers to a centralized location

·                     Upgraded the Storage Area Network (SAN) - centralized storage of digital files and software

·                     Replaced hundreds of computers with newer models

·                     Working with other area districts and D.O.E. selected COGNOS for a state-wide Educational Data Warehouse (EDW) for longitudinal analysis of student information and test scores

·                     Prepared data for, and shipped local data to, the Educational Data Warehouse

·                     Disaster recovery - Installed a remote backup server to accept nightly backups of district data. 

 

Current Initiatives

·                     Working with other area districts and D.O.E. to create reporting tools in the EDW for longitudinal analysis of student information and test scores

·         Centralized development of district-wide reports

·                     Upgrade Student Information System to PowerSchool Pro to PowerSchool Premier for enhanced reporting and web-based GradeBook functions.

·         Installing an emergency parent and staff notification system (Connect-Ed).

·         Boosting Internet access “pipeline” from 3 mbps to 25 mbps

·         Installing Kronos human Resources software

·         Importing MCAS scores into PowerSchool

·         Disaster Recovery - Providing a backup generator for telephone and data systems in the central office area.

·         Exploring and analyzing formative assessment software tools.

 

Anticipated Next Steps

·                     Upgrading elementary curriculum software products.

·                     Preparing data for, and shipping data to, the data warehouse.

·                     Training of administrators to use the EDW

·                     Training of teachers to use the EDW.

·                     Development of parent and student access to assignments and grades

Organization Chart