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Technology director highlights AI guidelines, DASNY camera grant and BOCES cost-savings
Summary
The district's technology lead reviewed device refresh cycles and a 1:1 program, outlined an AI user-group and upcoming teacher/student guidelines, and said a recent DASNY grant will fund a districtwide camera and door-access project; officials also described moving software purchases through BOCES to maximize state aid.
John, Pelham's lead on instructional technology, presented an overview of the district's tech footprint and budget priorities, telling the board the district maintains a 1:1 secondary program, classroom Chromebooks in K–5 carts, and a suite of instructional software. He highlighted the district's AI user group work and said teacher and student guidelines for AI will be launched at an upcoming professional development day.
"We're going to be launching the creation of our teacher and student guidelines for use this Bridal, at our professional development day," John said, describing pilot work and planned parent workshops. He also described cybersecurity improvements (pen testing, incident response, disaster recovery) and an approved DASNY grant that will fund cameras and door access systems leveraging recent E-rate infrastructure upgrades. John explained the district deliberately moves many purchases into cooperative BOCES RFS categories to obtain higher state aid reimbursement where eligible and cited plans to reduce low-use pandemic-era licenses such as Pear Deck.
Board members asked about whitelisting and firewall issues after the high school device policy change; John said unblocking requests routed through teachers are typically handled within four hours. He also noted continued emphasis on leveraging BOCES consortium contracts to reduce local spend and administrative time.
