District IT reports new device controls, web filtering and security upgrades; Chromebooks in carts reduced damage 63%
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Summary
Technology Services described a district rollout of LineWise/ClassWise filtering, a return to classroom Chromebook carts (a reported 63% reduction in device damage), plans for upgraded access control, a digital hall‑pass, a parent app rollout, and increased backup resilience.
Tyler from Technology Services reported to the Pullman School District board on last year’s IT work and priorities for the year ahead. He said the district upgraded its central firewall, implemented the LineWise web filter together with ClassWise classroom management, and moved Lincoln Middle School from a 1:1 Chromebook model back to classroom carts to reduce distraction and device damage. "So far we are seeing a 63 percent reduction in damage to Chromebooks since we've transitioned back to the Chrome carts," Tyler told the board.
Tyler described LineWise as a combined cloud and inline filter that allows the district to filter devices off‑site and give teachers classroom control over web access (for example, blocking YouTube by default and allowing teachers to override for instruction). He said planned rollouts include a parent tool (referred to in the presentation as the Custodio parent app) that will invite parents to create accounts to monitor school device activity and set controls such as evening device rules.
Planned infrastructure work includes an access control system upgrade for the high school (potentially integrated with user accounts), a digital hall‑pass system to track student movements, expanded backup capacity with immutable backup storage to protect against ransomware, and core switch replacements to bolster network resiliency.
Board members asked about rising storage costs and whether the district expects budget impacts; Tyler said the district has not encountered major price increases yet and is monitoring procurement timelines. A board member also asked whether parent tools will be available for all K–12 families; Tyler said the tools will be rolled out to parents of enrolled students district‑wide.
Tyler summarized IT team performance metrics (2,700 closed tickets, 1,800 phone calls answered, supporting roughly 4,500 computers) and emphasized goals of operational resilience, digital wellness and campus safety.