Royse City ISD Comprehensive Technology Assessment and Bond Planning
Technology Needs Assessment Example: Royse City ISD’s Tech Strategy
In 2021, Royse City ISD retained True North (A PMY Company) to assess its core Information and Operational technology systems, Instructional technology systems, and cybersecurity systems.
The scope of the assessments included the following:
DATA CENTRE:
Servers, storage, virtualisation, backups, disaster recovery, and room elements (racks, cooling, power, battery backup, generator)
NETWORK SYSTEMS:
Data cabling, network switches/ routers, phone systems, and wireless network
INTERNET SYSTEMS:
Routers, firewalls, content filtering, and Internet connections
WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN):
Building-to-building connectivity
ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS:
On-premise and cloud-hosted applications and software tools that align with operational functions and teaching and learning functions, including the digital curriculum platform, learning management systems, student assessments, parent portals, classroom device management, and staff productivity, collaboration, and communication
CLASSROOM SYSTEMS:
Classroom multimedia, telephones, and peripherals such as document cameras and sound reinforcement
STUDENT AND STAFF DEVICES:
1:1, BYOD, computer carts, classroom computers, computer labs
AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEMS:
Sound systems, bell, clock, and public address
SAFETY AND SECURITY SYSTEMS:
Video surveillance cameras, access control components and visitor management systems, intrusion control, campus entrances/exits, and emergency communication systems
CYBERSECURITY:
Systems, tools, software, and procedures to mitigate digital threats from internal and external sources.
Once the team collected and collated the necessary information, True North completed the following:
Identified gaps in the District’s systems as compared to peer and industry best practices.
Developed a prioritised list of short-term and long-term improvements.
Developed a projected cost for improvements with suggested funding source alignment (E-Rate, fund balance, and bond funds).
Developed a baseline for the District’s current use, integration, and state of the District’s technology systems.
Identified strengths and areas for growth for information and instructional technology staff, teams, and departments as compared to industry standards.
Developed a list of recommendations based on findings.
Provided a lifecycle management report.
Provided an Executive board-level presentation
Royse City ISD used the results of this Comprehensive Technology Assessment to prioritise projects for its May 2021 Bond Election. In that election, voters approved a $230 million bond program to address rapid growth in student enrollment.
Of the total amount approved, $10 million was allocated for technology and security-related projects, which True North Consulting Group then managed.
