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Mesquite ISD tech chief says budget strain slowed projects but E-rate buys key upgrades
Summary
Technology director Jeremy Lewis told trustees staffing and budget shortfalls have delayed about 80% of network projects, but E-rate funding and in-house initiatives delivered upgrades, multi-factor authentication rollout and cost savings from equipment reuse.
Mesquite ISD's technology director, Jeremy Lewis, briefed the board on accomplishments and constraints in tech services, saying a district budget shortfall has limited hiring and overtime and left roughly 80% of projects behind schedule.
Lewis said the department completed 35,000 help-desk work orders last year, automated onboarding processes, and achieved about $70,000 in savings through a parts-reuse program. "We're using mostly E-rate funds and we're staying ahead in that race for bandwidth," Lewis said, adding that a roughly $2.4 million E-rate project will be funded at about 80% by E-rate with a district 20% match.
He told trustees the network team is stretched, with more than 350 projects assigned across three directors, and the department is adopting new help-desk software in July to address teacher feedback. Lewis also described improved email security via multi-factor authentication, new fiber and Wi-Fi upgrades in high schools, and in-house fire-inspection work that saved about $94,000 annually. Trustees thanked the team and noted the bond, if approved, would help resolve many deferred capital needs.
Lewis said the department aims for high uptime and to build internal capacity amid a competitive labor market for tech staff.
