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Haddon Township tech team previews device upgrades, tighter security and plans for AI guidance
Summary
District technology leaders told the board they manage more than 2,400 iPads and refreshed over 400 desktops, have blocked traffic from more than 100 countries to protect the network, and propose an AI committee, increased staff/student training and camera/firewall upgrades.
Mr. Steve Chard and Mr. Mike Man, technology leaders for the Haddon Township School District, briefed the board on the department’s recent work, current inventory and priorities for security and instruction.
Chard said the department manages “over 2,400 iPads” and more than 500 district computers, and that the district recently refreshed about 400 desktop machines. He described five core “buckets” of work: network infrastructure and security, software and application management, digital media and communications, professional development and support, and state reporting/testing.
On cybersecurity, Chard and the team said they operate firewalls at each building and have implemented extensive content and geoblocking. “We have blocked ... over 100 countries just this year,” Chard said, emphasizing the volume of attempted attacks and the need to replace elementary-school firewalls that are nearing end of life.
The presenters described the district’s move to a consolidated data and assessment stack—EnCourse, Data Manager and Multiple Measures—replacing prior tools such as LinkIt, and highlighted a Tech Tips video library and a district YouTube channel created to support staff. They also described instructional features such as screen sharing and using projectors as dual displays and said new iPad cases with keyboards make devices more laptop‑like for testing and classroom use.
The team said pilot classroom uses for AI should be governed carefully. They recommended forming a districtwide AI committee that includes parents, students, teachers and administrators to develop policy, pilot tools in select classrooms and define best practices to preserve academic integrity while exploring AI as a personalized tutor.
During board Q&A, presenters discussed phishing risks, password hygiene, multi‑factor authentication rollout and use of Time Kettle translator earbuds in ELL classrooms and parent conferences. The board thanked the team for a wide-ranging presentation.
Next steps: the tech department plans to pilot updated camera/surveillance systems with local storage and cloud access, replace end‑of‑life firewalls at elementary schools, expand security awareness training, and form the proposed AI policy committee.
