Technology Infrastructure

Where We Were, Where We Are

Lockhart ISD was in dire need of upgrading the technology devices and infrastructure for the district.
The district had a couple of non-managed Linksys access points ($50 value) at each campus not meant for educational use.
Existing wide area network (WAN) was a hub and spoke system connected at 100 MB speeds.
Existing Internet (75 MB) was shared to all campuses.
Existing data closets had no uninterruptible power supply (UPS), no wire management, no label system and had Cat 5 cabling throughout the campuses.
Physical servers were old and outdated.
No backup solutions for the servers and district user files.
No passwords were set on the computers. Everyone logged on using Admin – no password.
Majority of the computers were running Windows XP – Note that Microsoft stopped providing support in April 2014.
No home drives, no student drives, and no other network shared drives.
No email for students.
District was setup to use Google but was only using 20% of Google´s features.

The district was looking to lease 1100 computers. After a discussion with the district´s Technology Instructional Mentors (TIMs) it was determined the #1 need was to get all teachers a new laptop.
Teachers had a five year old laptop and many of these devices were not working adequately.
The district had no more than 60 iPads and chromebooks in the district.
Instead of leasing 1100 desktop computers we went with 235 desktops to replace each computer lab, 460 laptops to replace teacher/admin laptops, 420 chromebooks - (30 per each cart), 350 iPads - (30 per each cart) - 1465 new devices compared to the planned 1100 desktops.

Lockhart ISD purchased a Microsoft Educational agreement for licensing to upgrade all computers to Windows 7 and to add System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to be used to inventory the computers, provide remote options, Anti-Virus software, and the ability to image the computers.
Active Directory services were installed and all server operating systems were upgraded.
2 Technicians and 4 Technology Instructional Mentors (TIMs) re-imaged all the district computers to windows 7 and added the devices to Active Directory.
All staff users were assigned accounts with passwords to be used to gain access to the district´s computers.
Cisco servers created our virtual server environment with Nimble 24 TB storage solution and Barracuda backup solution (backup locally and to the cloud).
Purchased Power over Ethernet (POE) switches through E-rate for each Main Distribution Frame (MDF) and the Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) data closets district wide.

Cisco Meraki access points were purchased and the new Cisco switches were used to power up the new access point devices.
Student emails were created with Google services.
Student local storage was created to save data on network storage.
File server created – all students and staff had a home drive and shared drives were created for departments and staff to share information in addition to Google Drive.
New security camera system purchased and administration taught how to view the videos.
New elementary campus was added with a Point-to-Point 1 GB network connection to the remodeled High School.
Apple Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution and Casper purchased to help inventory, deploy, and secure managed iPads.
Google domain cleaned up and automation was in sync with Active Directory.
Upgraded Internet from 75 MB to 300 MB.

Internet upgraded to 1 GB from 300 MB.
District had Laserfiche software and was using only 10% of its features.
Upgraded Laserfiche software and purchased additional user licenses.
Lockhart ISD setup a paperless environment with Laserfiche for Human Resources, Student Records, and Accounts Payable.

Wide area network (WAN) upgraded to a ring network from 100 MB to 10 GB.
Cisco routers purchased and additional Cisco switches purchased for each data closet.
Purchased additional Meraki access points to have one in each classroom district wide.
Purchased Cisco Voice Over IP (VOIP) system to replace 25-year-old Nortel phone system which always went down when it rained.

The voicemail system was setup to send an email to the user when a message was left on the phone for the user.
Ability to monitor 911 calls with the system sending an email to alert administrators of 911 calls with location and extension listed.
Capability added to conference in 6 - 8 phones calls to communicate in conference meetings.
District data center moved from technology building to the new data room located at the High School with proper a/c and clean power.
Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system purchased to support equipment in data room.

Purchased additional security cameras at Lockhart High School and Strawn Elementary.
Purchased new door access system at Lockhart High School and Strawn Elementary.
Door access system installed at each elementary campus and at Lockhart JHS in the front entrances.

Additional computers, chromebooks, iPads and other mobile devices purchased.
Upgraded all cafeteria computers with touch screens and mobile devices for mobile carts.
Installed new Firewall.
Upgraded all softball, baseball, and football stadiums with wireless access, security cameras, new audio systems and speakers.
Upgraded all cafeterias with new projectors, screens, and audio systems for a ¨cafetorium¨.

Upgraded fiber that connects Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) to Main Distribution Frame (MDF) at each data closet from 1 GB to 10 GB Fiber.
Upgraded data cables to each wireless access point from Cat 5 to Cat 6A 10 GB cable.
Purchased additional network switches at Bluebonnet Elementary, Lockhart JHS, and Lockhart HS.
Purchased 25 short throw projectors for Clear Fork Elementary that were mounted.
Purchased additional security cameras and additional door access installed.
Upgraded Internet from 1 GB to 5 GB of bandwidth.

Computer, chromebook, iPad, laptop 2015 lease ends summer 2019.
District has approved another lease for $1.4 million of technology devices to take care of lease mentioned above and to get even more devices for the Visionary Instruction Plan (VIP) initiative and more devices per grade level.
E-rate funds provided new data cables to classrooms for computers and phones.
Purchased more uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for all data closets.