As we wind down the school year, I want to thank each of you for supporting and working through the initiatives that IT implemented this year. It was a year of much-needed maintenance on systems that had been aging for too long. I’m pleased with the progress we made and look forward to next school year, when the number of IT initiatives will be greatly reduced and we can focus on customer service as our number one priority.
We completed 10 major projects this year:
We completed 10 major projects this year:
- Transitioned email and calendars to Google, resulting in access to a suite of collaborative tools
- Upgraded Sharepoint (hardware and software) to provide stability and new features to our websites
- Upgraded Infinite Campus (IC) database (hardware and software) for better functionality and speed
- Implemented a new Integrated Library System (ILS) and centralized cataloging, which allows sharing of BVSD resources and shifts time for teacher librarians from data management to instruction
- Final completion of the Projector Initiative project that began more than 3 years ago
- Upgraded the wireless infrastructure at Monarch HS to support their 1:1 initiative
- Worked in partnership with the Ed Tech Leadership Council (teachers, librarians, parents principals, and administration) to develop a new vision and mission of the BVSD Ed Tech department
- Completed the IT portion of numerous Bond funded projects at a variety of schools
- Implemented Password Manager, which is the first in a number of security enhancements
- Upgraded roughly 50% of our systems to Windows 7
Next year our 5 key projects include:
- Implement a new IEP (Individualized Education Programs) system hosted by CDE
- Complete the Windows 7 upgrade
- Implement the new Ed Tech vision that was developed by the Ed Tech Leadership Council
- Continue to update our processes for network security
- Move our finance, payroll, and some HR systems to the cloud with Lawson
All of the new programs we rolled out over the last two years will continue. These include:
- Tech Refresh based on student count
- Technology Purchase Program, which includes an equity component
- MyBVSD Gear
- IT Technology Days - coming August 8 and 9!
- IT Store, which places refurbished computers in the hands of BVSD students and staff
As this school year comes to a close and we move to a new one, look for a focused IT/Ed Tech organization, one that is working on fewer projects and focusing more on customer satisfaction. We will be systematically solving the issues that our customers experience on a regular basis. In addition, we will be increasing our customer focus by finding new and better ways to connect and communicate. Watch for the new IT Newsletter, coming 3 times a year, and weekly IT Tips and Tricks.
Enjoy your summer! I hope you get the opportunity to rest and recharge. We’ll will be working hard to prepare for your return in August. To chime in, please sign in to the blog by clicking here. I personally read all of your comments and suggestions, which helps guide our team. Thank you again for a productive year.
Andrew
