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Technology director outlines cybersecurity wins and a new Chromebook strategy for elementary grades
Summary
Director of technology Vanessa Defonts reported on cybersecurity improvements, wireless and infrastructure upgrades, and a shift in Chromebook deployment: shared carts for K–1, class sets for grades 2–3 and 1:1 retained for grades 4–5, with 250 Chromebooks already purchased to hedge price increases.
Vanessa Defonts, the district’s director of technology and data systems, told the board the technology department has implemented several recommendations from a cybersecurity audit and is planning multi‑year replacements of aging infrastructure.
"We did have a cybersecurity external audit this year, and from that came a lot of recommendations ... so far, we've really met with a lot of their recommendations," Defonts said, citing deployment of an internal firewall, introduction of phishing training, multi‑factor authentication for staff access, and upcoming penetration testing.
Defonts described a multi‑year plan for hardware and systems: interactive panels at the elementary level will be replaced, access points upgraded (partly funded through E‑Rate), and the district will need a VX‑Rail replacement in 27–28. To address concerns about screen time and costs, she proposed a revised Chromebook plan: K–1 would use shared carts, grades 2–3 would have class carts, and grades 4–5 would remain 1:1. She said the district purchased 250 Chromebooks ahead of anticipated price increases.
Board members asked about the supplies line increase (about $90,000) and learned much of that reflects charging carts and supporting classroom devices needed if Chromebooks remain in school (not assigned to students to take home). Defonts also described a parent‑communication hub under consideration to centralize notifications and grade information across platforms.
Defonts said the department is prioritizing projects because equipment is approaching end of life and costs have risen. The board thanked her for the overview and asked for continued updates as procurement and E‑Rate reimbursements progress.
