Information Technology & Network Infrastructure

1. Facilities

   1. Planning implementation--in collaboration with key leadership and vendors--of a migration from inadequate classroom for the District's Network Operations Center (NOC #1) to its own building that supports fire suppression, dust control, up to date equipment and cable management.

2. Equipment and Network Infrastructure

• 1. Selection of Wide Area Network (WAN) Provider for multiple campuses

  2. Selection of the District's Internet Service Provider as well as facilitating migration from previous ISP to a new one.

  3. Planning and deploying wireless access points across the District to achieve 100% wireless access in all classroom, large meeting spaces (e.g. libraries, cafeterias, gyms) by Fall, 2015.

  4. Crafting a multi-year equipment replacement plan that addresses network infrastructure, as well as campus computers and devices.

  5. Planned implementation of wireless network and infrastructure for Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) that currently enables 2 intermediate, 2 middle and 1 high school (approximately 50% of campuses) to have Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) programs.

  6. Leading the District in replacement of $2.5 million in campus and network infrastructure upgrades away from radical obsolescence

3. Information Management

• 1. Planned and implemented identity automation and management (a.k.a. account management).

  2. Proposing the Creation of the District's Data Warehouse and Web-based Data Dashboard, staff position of Systems Interface Specialist

4. Staffing & Technology Services

• 1. Reorganization of the Department to support Network Services, VM-Storage Area Network (SAN) Support,

  2. Facilitating the Adoption of MyPaymentsPlus solution for the East Central High School

  3. Leading the setup of the ECTV video hosting network using free, open source software

Instructional Technology

1. The District has adopted new powerful programs--Read/Write Workshop and Math Model--to transform teaching and learning. All campuses have committed--writing technology into their Campus Improvement Plans--to replacing past instructional approaches with technology-enhanced Reading/Writing Workshop and Math Model approaches. Furthermore, all obsolete computer labs have been replaced and now support state-mandated interventions and assessments. You can review Campus Commitments online at http://tinyurl.com/ecisdblueprint. Furthermore, two cohorts of Tech4Hornets Program were deployed pending equipment availability.

2. Creating the District's first online compliance professional learning center using free, open source software, Moodle for the following areas and/or in support of:

   1. STAAR eCourses for Confidentiality & Security, Basic Transcribing

   2. Hornet411 Parent Online Professional Learning opportunities

   3. MS Office 2012 Suite online professional learning

3. Crafting the District's ePlan in collaboration with various stakeholders and submitting it for approval.

4. Planning and implementing the Tech4Hornets Program to redirect obsolete equipment to state law qualifying students in the District.

5. Leadership of the EC3 Program--focusing on placement of iPads in classrooms--in collaboration with key district staff members, as well as authoring the metrics.

6. Standardization of district computer labs at each campus to ensure TEA-mandated assessment and interventions will be successful.

7. Crafting a flexible equipment deployment plan that aligns new purchases of classroom equipment to Campus Improvement Plans (CIPs).

Expand the District’s network connectivity and infrastructure to support wireless access across the District--along with timely technical support--to ensure connected learning experiences for students and staff, and expand support for mobile learning initiatives such as Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT), EC3 iPad Cohorts, eLearning (e.g. Edmodo), and video conferencing tools (e.g. desktop video and Texas Education Telecommunication Network (TETN)).

Mid-Year Update: The District is approaching the end of 2.5 year journey to replace 100% of obsolete networking infrastructure that have plagued network and Internet connections. From 64megabits per second to 1gigabit per second, 100% classroom WiFi access for mobile devices at grades 4-12 campuses (all of which support Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)), with elementary campuses to be complete by Fall, 2015.

This final push is accomplished with approximately $1.5 million in funding through the federal eRate program, saving the District hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding. eRate funding will be available in April, 2015 and upgrades of ALL network and internet equipment will take place Summer, 2015.

Furthermore, over 95% of data on obsolete servers has been transitioned to new virtualized servers that are backed up according to the ECISD's disaster recovery plan.

Mid-Year Update: The District has adopted new powerful programs--Read/Write Workshop and Math Model--to transform teaching and learning. All campuses have committed--writing technology into their Campus Improvement Plans--to replacing past instructional approaches with technology-enhanced Reading/Writing Workshop and Math Model approaches.

Furthermore, all obsolete computer labs have been replaced and now support state-mandated interventions and assessments.

You can review Campus Commitments online at http://tinyurl.com/ecisdblueprint . Furthermore, two cohorts of Tech4Hornets Program were deployed pending equipment availability.

Mid-Year Update: The District is actively working with all departments to streamline systems integration and account management, rolling out a new program that will address past “wicked problems” that have endured, addressing a lag in updating 10,000 student and staff accounts across 20+ systems. This is a monumental achievement.

Goal 6: Acquisition, Assets, and Sustainability Facilitate appropriate purchases of technology hardware and software, track and manage technology assets, and provide technology service and repair for all technology devices including software, hardware, and peripherals.

Mid-Year Update: The Technology Operations team has undertaken tracking technology-related purchases by campuses and making them available online at http://tinyurl.com/ecisdblueprint. Sustainability is maintained with an annual investment based on a multi-year equipment replacement plan. This has resulted in the deployment of 4,450 devices purchased at a cost of $2.4 million as of 01/26/2015.