Board reviews five-year technology master plan; district to expand cybersecurity, device replacement and in-house repair

At its Feb. 13 meeting, the Northport-East Northport Board of Education heard a detailed presentation on a five-year Master Technology Plan that the district says will align technology spending with instructional priorities and stabilize costs over time.

District Superintendent Dr. Moyer introduced the presentation and said on March 6 the district “are gonna bring forward to you the AI handbook” that staff are developing to guide classroom use. Technology presenter David told trustees the plan rests on three core principles: “supporting our educational mission, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and ensuring sustainable growth over the long term.”

The plan splits technology spending into four priority tiers. The top tier covers mission‑critical systems such as core network infrastructure, cybersecurity, student information systems and educational platforms. Tier two focuses on educational enhancements including the district’s 1:1 device program and digital learning tools; tier three targets operational support and efficiencies; tier four reserves funding for innovation such as pilots of emerging technologies.

Trustees heard several specific proposals and timelines. The district proposes a rolling hardware replacement schedule for students (grades 1, 5 and 9 each year) and a five‑year replacement cycle for staff devices to smooth budget impacts. Infrastructure work already begun includes telecommunications upgrades completed before the winter break; the next round—fiber and core switch upgrades—is planned for this summer, David said. He also emphasized expanded E‑rate and BOCES purchasing to increase aid rates and lower net costs.

On support services, the district said it will contract with BOCES for a shared, full‑time on‑site repair technician dedicated to Northport to handle higher‑level repairs (cracked screens, failed components) instead of sending devices out to third‑party vendors. David told the board the arrangement will be “a full time position through BOCES and ... dedicated just to us,” and that the move is intended to reduce turnaround time and long‑term costs.

Trustees asked about existing services. One trustee asked whether the plan replaces Chrome Depot; David said the depots will remain for simple fixes (password resets, adapters) but the new in‑house workshop will handle more complex repairs. Trustees also asked about wireless capacity for digital PSAT/SAT/AP testing; David said the district has already converted many high‑stakes tests to a computer‑based format and that the plan’s network upgrades will support broader digital testing.

Other operational changes noted in the presentation include a districtwide ticketing system for technology requests (fully implemented this year) and a move to enterprise device management tools to automate updates and reduce hands‑on technician time. The presentation projected technology’s portion of the district budget rising modestly from 2.48% to 2.57% in the next fiscal year, driven primarily by reallocated BOCES service commitments and infrastructure replacement timing.

The presentation closed with an offer to answer follow‑up questions; trustees directed staff to include the technology plan figures in the upcoming budget discussions and to return with any detailed cost schedules trustees request.