CUSD technology leaders report infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity steps, interactive-panel rollout and AI guidance

Chandler Unified School District technology leaders updated the Governing Board on recent investments in network infrastructure, classroom devices, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence guidance.

Colleen Flannery and her technology leadership team reported the district moved from a supporting role during pre-pandemic instruction to an essential technical backbone: staff described a near-1:1 student-device environment, substantial wireless and switching upgrades funded in part through the federal E‑Rate program, and an ongoing interactive flat-panel (IFP) installation that is replacing aging projectors.

Staff said the district now manages tens of thousands of devices on its network and has increased inbound bandwidth (the presentation cited an available 10 gigabit connection and steps to future-proof higher capacity). The technology team reported roughly 3,000 wireless access points across district buildings, approximately 850 network switches, about 2,000 printers, roughly 1,600 surveillance cameras and a small operations team (17 field-service technicians) supporting 50 buildings. The presenters said they used E‑Rate and other grants to upgrade switches and access points and are seeking E‑Rate funding for home hotspot support (50 percent subsidy) to address student connectivity at home.

Cybersecurity work accounted for a significant portion of the update. Staff described a district data-governance group, a disaster-recovery plan and adoption of state-offered cybersecurity tools under an Arizona cyber-readiness grant. The presentation named two tools implemented through that grant: an anti-phishing training platform (Infosec) that sends test phishing emails and provides staff training, and Tanium, a visibility/endpoint tool to monitor patching and device status across the fleet. District staff also said they participate in a regional information-sharing network with the Department of Homeland Security and neighboring local governments and organized a k–12 cybersecurity conference for area technical leaders.

On instructional technology, the district described a broad device strategy: iPads for K–2, Chromebooks for grades 3–8, Windows laptops for high schools and specialized devices for CTE and esports. The IFP rollout aims to provide interactive displays in classrooms with an estimated seven-year warranty; staff said they intentionally staged teacher training, piloted multiple panels for teacher feedback, and used campus power users and professional development to increase adoption rather than expecting instant, systemwide change. Presenters said the “untethering” of teacher desktops — docking stations that let teachers move and wirelessly cast to panels — is part of the initiative to support flexible classroom instruction.

Staff discussed a district AI approach in three buckets: operations (use AI to streamline administrative tasks such as scheduling), teacher supports (help teachers interpret data and personalize instruction) and student-facing tools (AI literacy for students and selection of age-appropriate, privacy-protected tools). The district released AI guidelines roughly a year to 18 months earlier and has offered staff training, encouraging staff to start with approved vendor tools (Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot) because existing contracts provide data protections. An AI advisory group of teachers is developing K–12 AI learning progressions.

Other items covered: a managed print contract to centralize toner and firmware tracking; an inventory/service-management system (Incident IQ) for devices and tickets; a technology advisory committee that includes staff and parents; and newly sanctioned high-school esports teams competing under the AIA.

Board members asked about capacity during high-traffic events (grading windows and finals), warranty and end-of-life planning for IFPs (staff said the district negotiated a seven-year warranty and budgeted for replacement on a multi-year schedule), teacher adoption supports (teacher academies, campus pilots and online resources) and student-device security at home (endpoint protections and malware monitoring reported). No motions or votes were requested or taken.

Ending

Technology staff said upgrades and cybersecurity measures are ongoing and that they will continue to inform the board of major changes; they invited board questions and noted several follow-ups (hotspot counts, esports playoff dates, and vendor privacy reviews).