Approve technology upgrade at today’s special meeting
It was a unanimous decision by all seven members of the Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) made at today’s (Monday, December 5) special meeting to tackle one of the district’s biggest issues – a schoolwide technology update.
At the school board’s Monday, November 21 regular meeting, B-OPS Technology Coordinator and Computer Teacher Steve Christensen presented a report on the outdated operating systems currently being used, as well an overview of work he has done on a new website for the school. B-OPS Principal Barry Schmidt added additional information.
Due to the school district’s use of an outdated 2003 Window’s server, there is no software available that is compatible withi the operating system. As a result, if a type of technical issue or problem were to occur, it would most likely compromise the school’s software program, with no way to back-up any lost data.
In addition to server upgrades, firewall hardware, aged switching ports and cabling issues were all also areas of great concern detailed in Christensen’s report.
Backed by this information, and after acquiring additional knowledge concerning the school district’s current technology levy, board members agreed to the technology upgrade of $16,384 as proposed by CTS (Computer Technology Solutions, Inc.) to implement and monitor the new server system, as well as complete staff training. This cost does not include any needed infrastructure work.
The technology enhancements could be installed over the Christmas break. The new server will be built offsite at CTS, with the transfer from server-to-server and software installation completed onsite.
