District IT recommends display replacements and cybersecurity upgrades in 2025
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Summary
The district’s technology lead presented a package of classroom display replacements and cybersecurity tools—including ViewSonic displays, IBOSS DNS security and Barracuda endpoint logging—describing the purchases as needed to replace aging equipment and to strengthen defenses against cyber threats.
Spearfish School District technology staff told the board Feb. 10 they recommend replacing aging classroom displays and implementing additional cybersecurity tools, and presented a multi-item purchase plan for 2025.
IT staff said the district has more than 160 interactive displays and plans to purchase roughly 40 ViewSonic displays and accompanying carts this year to replace older units. The list also includes lower-cost document cameras compatible with ViewSonic displays, wireless access point licensing (a five-year purchase that is eligible for E-rate funding), and routine software renewals.
On security, the technology presentation proposed DNS filtering through IBOSS that uses protected DNS servers, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools from Barracuda to log device activity on staff machines. The district plans to start EDR on about 300 staff devices. Presenters also recommended shifting some security awareness services and renewing spam-filtering subscriptions. The package of hardware, licenses and renewals was presented as a multi-line proposal with an estimated total in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars (presenter phrased it as “just under $225,000”).
“We’ve been looking at some better tools ... K–12 entities are easy targets,” said Mr. Hardesty (staff member), the district technology presenter, explaining that the upgrades are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of compromises.
Board members asked clarifying questions about Barracuda and IBOSS. Staff said some purchases (wireless licensing) will be partly supported through E-rate and that device-by-device rollout will be phased to match budget and classroom schedules. No final action was taken at the Feb. 10 meeting; staff said they will return with formal purchase recommendations.