District presents IT upgrades, maintenance backlog and staffing challenges; transportation driver shortage highlighted
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Summary
Department heads outlined operational improvements and capacity gaps: technology installed hundreds of security cameras and new access points; maintenance reported understaffing and a multi-million-dollar capital needs list; transportation has 56 drivers for 67 routes and is struggling to keep buses on time.
Administrators used the Feb. 10 committee meetings to present operational updates across technology, maintenance, human resources and transportation, highlighting improvements and staffing shortfalls.
Technology: Patrick Thiem, director of technology, told the board the department installed and configured 681 new security cameras, added roughly 70–78 wireless access points, upgraded virtualization and core network hardware, launched phishing simulations and rolled out a password manager (Bitwarden) for administrators. "We coordinated and installed and configured 681 new security cameras," Thiem said, and listed additional steps to harden network access and migrate to Windows 11.
Maintenance and facilities: Director of engineering Mike Aller described a maintenance force of 15 positions that has been understaffed, daily prioritization focused on life safety and compliance, and a larger deferred-maintenance list. The department manages about 1,440,000 square feet of building space and tracked 2,874 planned maintenance tasks and 8,943 work orders in 2025. Aller described contractor costs, inspections and a roughly $54.6 million list of future capital needs; he said some work can be phased and that contracted HVAC and other third-party services are necessary given current staffing.
Human Resources: HR reported roughly 951 active employees and about 1,100 volunteers, continued onboarding and a 22% teacher turnover reference in the presentation period; HR highlighted recruiting yields (applications, interviews, hires) and work to expand mentor and induction programs in response to new state requirements.
Transportation: O'Toole and operations staff said the district is running 67 designed routes but currently has 56 drivers, creating frequent late buses and reliance on overtime and temporary staffing efforts; First Student is offering a $7,500 sign-on bonus to attract drivers. "We have 67 routes designed. We only have 56 drivers," O'Toole said, describing a driver shortage that affects on-time performance and scheduling.
What comes next: Administration will continue recruitment, use contracted services where required, implement MOU and fundraising plans for capital projects, and bring forward procurement and budget proposals tied to operations.
