Beaufort County school board to launch work session and working group on technology modernization

The Beaufort County School Board agreed on a plan to begin a systemwide technology modernization effort, scheduling a work session and asking staff and trustees to form a working group to scope next steps.

Board chair (S1) said the topic is complex and best handled in a work session; the board tentatively set the next work session for Aug. 22 and asked that a small working group meet beforehand to break the effort into "bite‑sized segments."

Miss Frazier, a board member (S2), described technology gaps that prompted the proposal: "We don't have like a CIO. Mark is a CTO, a technology officer," she said, noting the district currently relies on department‑specific IT staff and an outdated policy portal that makes it difficult for parents to find board policies. "We are for sure have fallen behind other comparably sized districts," she added.

Another board member (S3) recommended routing the topic to the technology committee or the appropriate standing committees so it can be vetted before a full work session. Mister Smith (S6) suggested sending it to the technology committee or a related committee to begin the conversation and vet options.

Board members discussed practical priorities that a modernization project would address: enterprise software, data integration, reducing paper processes, automation of HR and finance, and improved parent access to policies and course materials. Several trustees said the district should study models used by comparable districts and plan for a phased approach rather than an immediate large‑scale procurement.

The board instructed staff to prepare background materials and to convene a working group before the August work session, with the chair coordinating membership and timing.