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MCPS creates Division of Technology Services and pledges updated strategic plan this fall
Summary
MCPS announced a new Division of Technology Services, a reorganization of four core departments, and a commitment to a new comprehensive technology strategic plan with timeline updates to be shared in the fall.
Montgomery County Public Schools officials told the Education and Culture Committee on July 25 that they have reorganized technology functions into a new Division of Technology Services and will produce a fresh districtwide technology strategic plan this school year.
"An organization of this scale must have clear, forward-thinking technology plan to set priorities, guide investments, and support our accountability," said Kimberly Fields, MCPS Chief Technology Officer. Fields outlined four departments in the new division: Business Information Services; Cybersecurity & Technology Infrastructure; Department of Educational Technology; and Student & Data Systems. She said the division recently hired a director for cybersecurity and technology infrastructure and is continuing to refine roles and reporting lines.
MCPS staff and central council analysts also reviewed recent and historical funding for devices and infrastructure: an FY2017 allocation of $3,000,000 to expand Chromebook access, an $800,000 increase in FY2023 tied largely to pandemic-era device and hotspot needs, and a FY2025 allocation of $3,160,218 for Chromebook repair and to establish the new division. Doug Prouty, senior legislative analyst, presented those figures to the committee.
Fields said MCPS found that a comprehensive technology plan had not been updated in several years and that officials are working now to create a new plan aligned with the school system's mission. She committed to providing a timeline and further updates in the fall, and said the district will share drafts and seek input from parents, teachers, principals, and students as the plan develops.
The committee pressed staff for clarity on deliverables and dates; Fields said a draft timeline and progress report will be available in the fall. The district also noted ongoing work to improve communication around technology tools and to involve the MCPTA technology committee and student voices in planning.
