1.0 Executive Summary Page 2 7.0 Technology …...1 Bancroft School Strategic Technology Plan 2008-2013 Submitted 4/16/08 CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary Page 2 2.0 Mission Statements

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Bancroft School Strategic Technology Plan 2008-2013 Submitted 4/16/08

CONTENTS

1.0 Executive Summary Page 2 2.0 Mission Statements Page 4 3.0 Assumptions & Expectation Page 5 4.0 Risks Page 6 5.0 Internal & External Communications Page 7 5.1 Current Environment Page 7 5.2 Future Environment Page 10 5.3 Milestones` Page 13 6.0 Network and Server Infrastructure Page 17 6.1.1 Current OSI Physical Layer 1 Page 17 6.1.2 Current OSI Physical Layer 2 & 3 Page 18 6.1.3 Current Network Devices Page 19 6.1.4 Current Internal Servers Page 20 6.1.5 Current Network Infrastructure Page 21 6.1.6 Current Backup Environment Page 28 6.1.7 Network and Server Synopsis Page 29 6.2 Future Environment Page 31 6.3 Milestones Page 33

7.0 Technology Resources Page 37 7.1 Present Environment Page 37 7.2 Future Environment Page 42 7.3 Milestones Page 44 8.0 Technology - Share, Inform, & Train Page 47 8.1 Present Environment Page 47 8.2 Future Environment Page 49 8.3 Milestones Page 51 9.0 Prioritized Recommendations Page 53

Appendix A

Tech. Job Descriptions Page 55

Appendix B 2007 Tech. Survey Summary

Page 59

Appendix C 2006-08 Tech. Goals & Initiatives

Page 62

Appendix D 2005-6 Technology Policies & Procedures

Attached

Appendix E 2004 Technology Audit - The Bench Group

Attached

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1. Executive Summary This plan has been assembled by the Technology Department, revised and approved by the TAC committee (Technology Advisory Committee which is a small group of representative parents, faculty and administrators), and presented to the Administration for their approval. The below graphic illustrate the key components to meeting the demands of a “Highly Available Network” and desktop environment that are being addressed by this plan.

1 1. Image taken from page 4 in APC’s White Paper entitled Management Strategy for Network Critical Physical Infrastructure

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Our Three-to-Five-Year Strategic Technology Plan Goals:

⇒ Provide and maintain network/server reliability and security. ⇒ In conjunction with the CLIC (Curriculum Learning & Instruction Committee) and the Administration, develop and recommend a K-12

set of minimum student and faculty technology skills. ⇒ Expand the use of technology to improve communication within and outside of our community, to reduce our dependency on print

material, and to provide more accurate and timely information.

⇒ In conjunction with CLIC and Mathematics Department, assist and provide support to the K-12 implementation of a comprehensive computer skills and science curricula.

⇒ Work toward Bancroft's becoming a premier school with a dynamic engaging curriculum supported fully by the state-of-the-art of

technology.

⇒ Proactively share and inform our community about technological issues and trends.

⇒ Prepare and provide repetitive opportunities for our students and faculty to create technology infused teaching and learning environment.

⇒ Insure that all faculty and staff know and understand how to integrate the provided technology infrastructure into their job

responsibilities.

⇒ Yearly revisit and revise, at the TAC level, Bancroft’s: Technology philosophy to ensure that it is consistent with the overall mission of the school. Technology Department’s initiatives to ensure that they are taking into consideration advances in technology, and are in-line

with the overall mission of the school.

⇒ Provide and maintain resources (infrastructure, people, equipment, budget) to achieve our goals.

⇒ Explore, test, and employ using technology as a tool for creating on-line learning communities (blogs, wikkies, forums, podcasts, etc.).

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2. Bancroft Mission Statement

Bancroft, an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school, prepares talented, well-qualified and motivated college-bound students, kindergarten through grade 12, to pursue and realize their academic, personal and social potential.

We provide a comprehensive, caring, and creative curricular and extracurricular program that fosters an experience of excellence for each student. Inspired students, a superior faculty, and engaged families thrive in our diverse, safe, and supportive community. We afford students the opportunity to discover their passion in life and to learn to embrace confidently and responsibly the moral and ethical challenges of being life-long learners, teachers of others, and citizens of an increasingly complex global community.

Technology Mission Bancroft School's Technology Department strives to provide leadership, development, and support for both emerging and existing technologies to support the mission of the School. We foster an academic culture that explores and values technology as an essential teaching and learning resource. We expand our students' knowledge and assist them with adopting technology in academically meaningful and effective ways. We support new technologies to enhance traditional instruction and the teaching and learning process. We develop, establish and maintain systems and procedures that ensure an industry standard operation. We also believe that technology needs to be a K-12 curriculum strand of knowledge and practical skills. Bancroft School broadly defines:

- Technology as the materials and processes that support and broaden the teaching, learning, assessment, and administrative functions of its students, faculty, and staff.

- Educational as that which deals mainly with the methods and process of teaching and learning.

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3. Assumptions and Expectations From 2004 to the present, the Technology Department has successfully maintained a high-availability and secure network. As the chart below illustrates, Bancroft School currently operates within 99.9 % to 99.999 %” of availability / uptime. Using information technology parlance, the department’s uptime is between three and five “nines”. Whether one has a large or small budget, obtaining three to five “nines” of uptime is a significant accomplishment and one benchmark for enterprise level / Quality of Service (QoS). Bancroft users have grown accustom to this QoS and expect an “always on” technology environment (infrastructure, hardware, software, etc.). Notwithstanding the many years of successful availability, the general assumption that Bancroft has an enterprise operation is false. In order to have a true enterprise technology environment, redundancy must be present and working. Although we strive to reach that goal, our current situation is a work-in-progress at best, and the full redundancy work cannot begin until all network nodes have the same foundation elements. The standard foundation work is within the scope of this three-to-five year technology plan. However, given current budget projections and constraints, the work needed to complete full redundancy will have to be included in the writing of a five-to-ten year and beyond technology plan.

Schiesser, Rich, IT Systems Management, Prentice Hall, 2002

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4. Risks Maintaining the current technology infrastructure and completing the standard foundation work has stalled due to the addition of unplanned emerging equipment and budget reductions. Given the lack of any redundancy, adding services without upgrading the infrastructure work carries a significant risk for catastrophic loss of Quality of Service. Bancroft School has made a significant investment for its staff to trust the underlying technology environment for teaching and administrative workflow, so any loss of service will have a profound and negative effect on the school’s community. The future demands of an “always on” / high availability and secure technology environment will challenge both human and capital resources. Beside the added cost of buying newer and more complex equipment and software, hiring and maintaining highly trained personnel may be problematic, since specialized Information Technology (IT) support personnel will be in demand from all sectors of business. Moreover, some future equipment and services will be used solely for legal compliance and have a re-occurring administrative charge without any technical advantage for the school. Although E-mail archiving is currently under review by the administrative body, it is a poignant example of high re-occurring administrative cost for legal compliance without any pedagogical benefits. For the sake of efficiency, many institutions are migrating towards the hierarchal model and practices commonly found within university and corporate IT departments. Because of the increased demands of a high availability and secure technology environment, in the future the technology department will need to restructure its working roles and responsibilities to divide the department into two separate groups (IT support of curriculum and Computer Science instruction). During the last three years, Bancroft’s Technology Department has integrated standard IT practices into its daily operations – for example; offsite backup, web filtering, WAN/LAN security, and desktop support ticketing. Along with restructuring the future technology department to keep pace with the emerging technologies, more flexible and creative forms of financing and recapitalization (leasing of equipment, etc.) and additional outsourcing of services (offsite backup, e-mail archiving, etc.) should be implemented into the five-to-ten year technology plan.

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5. Internal and External Communications

5.1 Current Environment ⇒ E-mail

All faculty, staff, and US students are assigned Bancroft e-mail accounts to facilitate communication within our community. Our e-mail is hosted at Everyone.net, which provides up to the minute spam filtering, virus protection using SOPHOS, and offsite backup, as well as worldwide web access.

E-mail archiving is under review. The Administration body is discussing the best ways to balance the legal compliance requirements alongside the burden of a long-term re-occurring expense. See below for January 7, 2008 eSchool news report:

⇒ eSchool News counts down the ten most significant developments in educational technology during the past year • Number 9. On the list: “eMail retention rules cause confusion among schools A year ago last month, eSchool

News reported on new federal guidelines stemming from a recent Supreme Court ruling that confirmed eMail messages were matters of public record.”

⇒ The guidelines--which declare that any entity involved in litigation must be able to produce "electronically stored information" during the discovery process, in which opposing sides of a legal dispute must share evidence before trial--have significant implications for school technology departments, especially in places where technicians routinely copy over backup discs and other information housed on school servers

⇒ Databases

iPASS ⇒ Since 2003, we have used, iPASS, as our SIS (student information system) to store all student biographical and

academic information. This tool allows us to take attendance electronically, print grade reports, and transcripts, plus it can be accessed from any computer, that has Internet access.

⇒ We continue to provide input to iPASS, on how we would like them to develop functionality into their product, which would improve communication between our parents and the school. We have started parent pilot testing iPARENT, a web portal that will allow parents to securely log in and see their student(s)’ Biographical Information, Attendance History, Class Schedule, and Grades and Narratives in real time.

Alumni/Development 4D ⇒ We are currently using a 4D dBase that was developed by a former faculty member and built on an old 4D core. This 4D

core should have been upgraded years ago, but there was no one on staff who had the skills to do so. ⇒ For many years this dBase was housed in the Alumni/Development Office on an older computer, under very little

security. It is now housed in our Data Center where it is secure, on a newer server, and backed up daily and offsite weekly.

⇒ The Alumni and Development Office is in the process of testing a new database on which to migrate their historical data.

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Admissions – Filemaker A 5-year old Filemaker database is currently used to store all new applicant inquiry information. The Admission Office is in the process of researching existing commercial tools to help them facilitate this process.

Physical Education – Filemaker The Physical Education Department uses a homegrown Filemaker database to track student athletic progress through their required and elective PE tracks. This tool facilitates and documents their grading process.

Athletic Director – Filemaker The Athletic Director uses ADS (Athletic Department System) a commercial database to schedule all sport games, referees, and coaches.

Library – Sagebrush ⇒ Since the summer investment of 2007, the library network has improved significantly. Existing legacy 62.5/125um

Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) and Category 5 wiring and patch panels were demolished and replaced with new current standards of 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) and Category 5e Ethernet cabling and patch panels. All the new cabling and patch panels are housed inside of an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rated locking cabinet. Instead of multiple computers interconnecting together through a maze of Ethernet wiring, every workstation is simply connected to its own assigned Ethernet port, which connects to a designated port on a new Cisco Catalyst 2850 10/100 switch. Because of this substantial upgrade, no performance and reliability problems have been reported from either the Library or Alumni department this year.

⇒ Currently the library catalogue software (Sagebrush) and student reading tracking software (Accelerated Reader) our housed in the Data Center on an older G4 tower in the Data Center.

⇒ Website

In the February of 2005, Bancroft’s new content management system website became live with a company called Finalsite, which now allows for multiple users to create and update information to be shared with our community.

This tool provides our community with up-to-date academic, alumni, athletic, and parental information, as well as a place where teachers can create their own web pages to share specific class happenings and assignments.

Our recent implementation of Finalsite’s new Media Manager, News Manager, and eNotify tools now provide recent news and access to school media on our front page, as well as the ability to mass e-mail any of our specific community constituencies.

The administration of the website is a shared-team responsibility. The Director of Institutional Advancement reviews and makes recommendations from a marketing perspective. An Associate from within the Advancement Office gathers and posts news and pictures on a weekly basis. Each section and sub-section of the website is the responsibility of a specific department to update as appropriate. Photo changes and administrative functions of the website are done by the Director of Technology, the Instructional Technologist, and/or the Advancement Associate.

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⇒ Print Administratively a conscious effort is being made to reduce the amount of material we print and mail home. Many items are

now part of our website, the school calendar, athletic game and practice schedules, and the Headmaster’s monthly newsletters and many other timely school messages that are now e-mailed and posted on our website.

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5.2 Future Environment - Internal and External Communications Many of the computer tools we use today for academic and professional productivity and communications require fast dependable Internet access. Each of the past two years, we have added an additional T1 line to increase capacity because of the previous year’s demonstrated use.

Recommendation – As a way to evaluate our technology progress since the 2004 Bench Group’s technology audit and recommendations, Bancroft should commission a follow-up audit by the same company.

Recommendation - A fourth T1 line should be added for the school year 2008-09. Note: Any future T1 lines, after this addition, will require that our router be upgraded to one with additional capacity.

⇒ E-mail

Recommendation - Our current e-mail systems’ functionality, service provided, and new features requested by our community should be evaluated on a 3-year cycle. Such an assessment should weigh the potential gains against the total cost of any such change.

Recommendation - A review of free Internet e-mail, Goggle Doc, and other e-mail products should be studied (Live Mail). Recommendation – Written directions from Legal Council stating whose e-mail needs to be archived and for how long it needs

to be archived must be the first step before the Technology Department can design and implement a comprehensive e-mail archiving plan.

⇒ Databases

iPASS Recommendation – Upgrade current 5-year old web and dBase servers to units that can support the newest iPASS

software upgrades. Recommendation - Assuming the iPARENT Middle School pilot testing in 2007-08 is successful, this portal feature is

to be expanded to all Divisions. Having this portal in place will allow Bancroft to reduce and eventually eliminate the printing and mailing of most grade and narrative reports throughout the school year, thus saving postage, paper, as well as time sorting and stuffing envelopes.

Recommendation - Additional iPASS features should be tested, evaluated, and implemented, if they meet the school’s mission. These features should include and not be limited to: online ability for parents to update their student’s biographical information, teacher rank-books, and integrating data with Finalsite.

Recommendation – Administration of the grade reporting and printing process needs to be shared by key administrative and staff personnel in each division.

Recommendation – Continue to transfer commonly used iPASS reports to PCL format from their existing HTML format to streamline the printing and iPARENT posting process.

Recommendation – Review and possibly update our process for archiving student academic records to include saving their end of year reports in PDF format to decrease our use of paper.

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Alumni/Development Recommendation - Purchase, install and test Developments new dBase, SAGE, on an appropriate server with daily

backup capabilities. Recommendation - Migrate and test the new dBase under a tandem setup of our existing historical alumni data in 4D to

their newly purchased database by SAGE is a priority. Recommendation - During this tandem-system testing period, test and verify the recoverability of backup SAGE data.

Admission Office – Filemaker Recommendation - Assist the Admission Office as they research, evaluate, and test potential dBase features and report

formats that will meet their operational needs. Recommendation – Assist them as they implement their choice of solution.

Physical Education Department – Filemaker Recommendation – Assist the Physical Education Department as they evaluate their dBase functionality every 3-years. Compare the potential gains of requested enhancements against the total cost of updating/changing this dBase.

Athletic Director - Filemaker Recommendation – The functionality, service provided, and the vocalized requests by the Athletic Director should be collected and shared with the software developer every 3-years. This evaluation must be weigh the total gains against the total cost of updating/changing this database.

Library Recommendation – Move the library catalogue and student Accelerated Reader to a newer server for more stability. Recommendation – Install and test the impact of the United Streaming Server internal to our network. Recommendation – Other recommendations to be coordinated with the Library Plan based on available resources.

⇒ Website Recommendation – With the help of the Alumni/Development Office, complete the roll out the Alumni Portal. This web

portal will allow alumni to effectively yet securely communicate with one another and enables the Alumni Office to closely target specific alumni groups for particular messages (e.g., sending emails to all registered alumni in the Washington, CA area, making them aware of an upcoming gathering).

Recommendation – Continue to test and evaluate new website portals and modules as they become available. This activity will need to be ongoing to insure that Bancroft is making the best use of the features available through their website (Academic, Trustee, Faculty, Student portals, as well as commerce manager and e-mail are items yet to be explored).

Recommendation – Train key Administrative and Staff personnel to use the eNotify module. By doing so, this will continue the goal of spreading the administration of the website over many people instead of relying on one individual to keep features operational.

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Recommendation – All faculty should have an updated teacher web site or faculty portal that supports student learning. Such a web presence will provide more effective and uniform organization and 24 x 7 communication between students and teachers. The specifics of this expectation should be decided at the Divisional Level to meet their desired outcomes. Since the new website has become live, we have seen an increase in the timely posting/updating of information in the areas of athletics, news, calendar, admissions, alumni, health, cultural events web pages, it is now time to see a parallel increase in the use of academic web pages.

Recommendation - While having a small group of people administer the website is working, there is still a great deal of the behind the scenes operations that is the responsibility of one position, the Director of Technology. A designated backup person needs to be established and trained to insure continued smooth operation.

⇒ Print

Recommendation – Continue to evaluate and make suggestions on how Bancroft faculty, staff and students could decrease their use of paper to communicate and meet their responsibilities. This activity should include, but not be limited to, double sided printing, saving web materials as PDF’s instead of printing, online test and quizzes, memos are posted or e-mailed home, the printing of pictures, how data is archived, and the need for printed textbooks in the future. A comprehensive set of electronic data storage policies and procedures should be included in these discussions.

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5.3 Proposed Milestones - Internal and External Communications

e-Mail Action Steps Person(s)

Responsible Anticipated date

of completion Indicators of

Accomplishment Estimated Add. Cost

Design a survey to assess faculty and staff e-mail use and needs. Administer e-mail survey to Faculty and Staff. Analyze and report survey findings to Administration. Any recommendation must weigh the potential gains against the total cost of any recommended changes. Based on direction provided by the Administration and Legal Counsel, develop a plan for meeting Federal Regulations concerning e-mail archiving.

Tech Dept. & TAC

Tech Dept.

Tech Dept. &

TAC

Administration, TAC, & Tech

Dept.

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Fall 2009

Fall 2009

Survey approved by TAC

Survey Administered

Report approved and sent to Administration

Directions provided to Tech Dept from Administration

None

None

None

Unknown

iPASS dBase Action Steps Person(s)




Upgrade current servers to meet software requirements. Implement iPARENT for MS/US and have grade reports only printed and mailed for those families who request them. Evaluate and test iPASS Rankbook. Commission IMG to convert specific HTML iPASS reports to PCL format.

Dir. Of Tech

Dir. Of Tech

Tech. Dept.

Tech. Dept.

Summer 2008

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

One or two a year

Software updates are installed

Reduced Mailing

Pilot testers report to TAC

Reports are functional

$10,000

$1000

None

$1000

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Alumni/Development dBase Action Steps Person(s)




Complete data conversion from 4D to SAGE and verify that data is being handled properly in a dual systems mode. Train and create SAGE reports. Take 4D dBase off-line.

Alumni

SAGE

Tech Dept.

Summer 2008

Fall 2008

Winter 2008

4D dBase is turned off

SAGE completes visit

Server off

Unknown

Admission dBase Action Steps Person(s)




Finalize dBase features and report output formats that will meet their operational needs. Interview, test and select a vendor for this service. Implement selected service.

Admission Office

Admission Office & Tech Dept

Tech Dept

2008-09

2008-09

2009-10

Prioritized list of feature and report needs

Product selected

Product implemented

None

None

Unknown

Physical Education dBase Action Steps

Person(s) Responsible

Anticipated date of completion

Indicators of Accomplishment

Estimated Add. Cost

Review existing dBase features and functionality. Prioritize a list of desired improvements, if any. Seek bids from Filemaker vendors to make improvements, and weigh the potential gains against the total cost of any changes. Complete any dBase upgrades. Repeat process in 2012.

PE Staff

Tech Dept.

Selected Vendor

2008-09

2009-10

Summer 2010

Prioritized list of changes

PE Dept. recommends changes to Administration

dBase is available to use

None

None

Unknown

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Athletic Director dBase Action Steps Person(s)




Review existing dBase features and functionality. Prioritize a list of desired improvements, if any. Seek bids from Filemaker developer to make improvements, and weigh the potential gains against the total cost of any changes. Complete any dBase upgrades. Repeat process in 2012.

Athletic Director

Tech Dept.

Vendor

2008-09

2009-10

Summer 2010


Athletic Director. recommends changes to

Administration

dBase is available to use

None

None

Unknown

Library Action Steps Person(s)




Move InfoCentre and Accelerated Reader to newer server. Install, configure, and test United Streaming Server. Coordinate with Library other initiatives that appear in their plan based on available Tech resources.

Tech Dept

Tech Dept

Tech Dept

2008

2008

2008 - 2012

Services are running and accessible

Server is running and media is available for

teacher use

Unknown

None

$8000

Unknown

Website Action Steps Person(s)




Establish a designated backup person for the website work being done by the Director of Technology. Backup person is trained. 2008-09. Complete implementation Alumni Portal.

Headmaster

Dir. of Tech

Alumni

Fall 2008

2008-09

2008-09


Training completed

Id #’s mailed to all Alumni

None

None

Postage

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Evaluate, and test, Finalsite's Academic Manager and Student Portals and weigh potential gains against the total cost of any changes. Define and articulate a teacher web presence. Rollout of Academic Manager and Student Portals begin, if approved.

Tech. Dept. & TAC

Administration

Tech. Dept.

2008-09

September 2009

2009-10

Demonstration made to TAC and recommendations

sent to Administration

Teacher websites are posted and updated

All teachers and US

students/parents use their accounts

$3000 yearly

Training costs

$5000 yearly

Print Action Steps Person(s)




Assess the variety of ways we communicate with our community. Discuss, evaluate, and make recommendations for ways to save paper. Review and make recommendations for improving the process for storing student academic records electronically. Implement approved recommendations.

Representative committee

Administration

Administration

2008-09

2008-09

2009-10

Committee meets and sends recommendations to

Administration

Recommendation approved

Paper use, postage decrease

None

Training costs

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6. Network and Server Infrastructure (performance, reliability, and security)

6.1.1 Current Network Environment (OSI Physical Layer 1):

The Physical Layer is commonly referred to as the backbone of a network. All buildings (McDonough Center, Fuller Science, Administration/Theatre, PE/Visual Arts, Library, Alumni/Development, and Upper School) are connected together through a network of fiber-optic strands, copper gigabit Ethernet cables and switches. The network terminates in the Upper School’s Data Center (DC) and is the central hub for all of the school’s network activity. While all of the buildings connect directly to the DC, the Local Area Network (LAN) topology is a mix of two different designs: star and line. Eventually, all buildings shall be redundant and have a Fully Connected topology; No portion of the current network is redundant and have several failure points.

⇒ The Star portion of the LAN is as follows: o McDonough Building switch connects directly to the DC via multiple strands of fiber optic cables o Upper School switch connects directly to the DC via a single gigabit Ethernet cable o Fuller Science Building switch connects directly to the DC via multiple strands of fiber optic cables o Library switch (inside of library cabinet) connects to the DC via one pair of fiber optic strands. o Alumni switch (inside of library cabinet) connects to the DC via one pair of fiber optic strands.

⇒ The Line portion of the LAN is as follows:

o Administration/Theatre buildings are linked via a gigabit Ethernet cable; Administration switch connects to the DC via one pair of fiber optic strands.

o Gym / VArt buildings are linked via a gigabit Ethernet cable; Gym switch connects to the DC via one pair of fiber optic strands.

⇒ Multiple strands of legacy fiber optic cables, patch panels, and switches travel to/from the Hill and Science building and channel

through a fibre patch box in the Bookstore closet. The previous circuit for Bancroft School’s academic network traffic was disconnected from bookstore fibre patch box in 2006. The remaining legacy fibre circuits are used for the cameras and HVAC monitoring and terminate in the Director of Facilities office.

6.1.2 Current Network Environment (OSI Network Layer 2 and 3):

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Bancroft’s network is based upon a Class C address scheme of 192.168.0.0, which has been divided and sub netted into eight separate VLANs. Through the use of efficient use of IPs, forward subnet planning, and flexible VLAN designing, this Class C network can scale and act like a Class B address space.

The internal portion or Internal DMZ contains VLANs 1, 3 through 8; whereas, the external portion or External DMZ contains only VLAN 2.

⇒ The VLANs division is as follows:

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VLAN 1 is the administrative subnet for maintenance, trunking between LANs, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), fiber-channel switches, network devices, etc.

VLAN 2 is the subnet for the iPASS Web Server. VLAN 3 is the subnet for all of our internal servers. VLAN 4 is the subnet reserved for future edge devices such as wireless access points. VLAN 5 is the subnet for iPASS Database Server. VLAN 6 is reserved for future use. VLAN 7 is reserved for future use. VLAN 8 is the subnet for all of the clients work stations, current edge devices (printers and wireless).

⇒ Connection to the Internet consists of three bonded T1 lines with a maximum throughput of 4,500 kilobits per second provided by

NAII.net

************************************************************************ 6.1.3 Current Network Environment (Network Devices):

⇒ Cisco 2821 Integrated Service Router with the Firewall activated ⇒ Cisco 512 Web Application Engine with imbedded WebSense Module ⇒ Cisco 3750 Catalyst Switches (DHCP is activated) (6) ⇒ HP Switches Models

2524 (2), 2650 (3), 2626 (2), 4108 (3),

⇒ Linksys-Cisco Wireless Access Points (19) ⇒ HP Printers (31 b/w 11 color) ⇒ Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) (11) ⇒ UPS network monitoring cards (9) ⇒ UPS temperate monitoring probes (2) ⇒ Fiber channel Switch (1)

*All network devices have forward and reverse DNS information.

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6.1.4 Current Network Environment (Internal Servers):

⇒ DNS Primary (1) ⇒ DNS Primary-Spare (1) ⇒ DNS Secondary / SMTP (1) ⇒ DNS Secondary / SMTP Spare (1) ⇒ LDAP Master (1) ⇒ LDAP Replica (1) ⇒ Teachers File (1) ⇒ Students File (1) ⇒ Teacher Backup-EMC Retrospect (1) ⇒ Student Backup-EMC Retrospect (1) ⇒ RAID for combined Teachers and Students Files (1) ⇒ RAID for combined Teachers and Students Backups (1) ⇒ Technology Utility Server (1) ⇒ Network Security Server (1) ⇒ Network Security Server Spare (1) ⇒ Network Monitoring Server (1) ⇒ Network Monitoring Server Spare (1) ⇒ Imaging software - Desktop Recovery (1) ⇒ Imaging software – Server Recovery & Software Update Server (1) ⇒ FileMaker (1) ⇒ Library Catalog and Accelerated Reader (1) ⇒ Library –Streaming Media (1) ⇒ Quark License – Internal Web Site (1) ⇒ Internal Calendar and Contacts dBase (1) ⇒ Alumni Database (1) ⇒ Sophos Anti-Virus (1) ⇒ iPASS Web (1) ⇒ iPASS Database (1) ⇒ Bookstore Cash Register (1)

*All servers have forward and reverse DNS information.

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6.1.5 Current Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI):

Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) is a common term used by IT departments to describe the foundation or backbone of the physical apparatus that networks rely upon. The NCPI’s components comprise of physical structure, security, power, cooling, fire protection, cabling, and communications. While each component may seem disparate from another, the whole network requires each component to function correctly and at the appropriate time. An orchestra working in unison would be an apt comparison, for if any instrument failed to play correctly at the prescribed time, then its effect would resonate throughout.

⇒ Data Center NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Separate dedicated room with nine UL rated Two-Post grounded equipment racks

Security: Two locked doors accessible by tech staff and executive level personnel only Electronic monitoring/sensor at Tech Lab entrance; None at Data Center entrance 250 Amp circuit breaker panel access restricted inside Tech director Office Network enabled video camera (experimental research phase)

Power: Eight 20 Amp circuit on a shared one 250 Amp circuit breaker panel Eight Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) Eight networked monitored cards for UPS

Cooling: Two separate air conditioning units One networked monitored temperature probe connected to UPS

Fire Protection: Dedicated Halon gas replacement suppression

Cabling: 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) LC Fiber Patch Panel Category 5e patch panel for both main and interconnects to servers and switch Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables (minor) between patch panel to wall jack Category 5e Ethernet cables (majority) to equipment racks and wall jacks Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks (minor) Category 5e Ethernet wall jacks (majority)

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Communications: Dedicated telephone (outside access enabled) close to network Equipment can access third party tech support without problems

⇒ Physical Education Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Multi-use room Generic Shelf (not rated for data equipment) mounted to wall

Security: One locked door accessible by tech staff, PE staff, and maintenance No electronic monitoring /sensor Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access

Power: One wall outlet without power conditioning or surge protection No Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) No Power monitoring

Cooling: Communal air conditioning; linked to building No temperature monitoring

Fire Protection: Linked to building

Cabling: Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) Legacy ST Fiber Patch Panel and connections Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks

Communications: No telephone access near network equipment Access to third-party tech support is problematic

⇒ Visual Arts Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following: Physical Structure:

Janitor Closet Generic Shelf (not rated for data equipment) mounted to wall

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Security: One locked door accessible by tech staff and maintenance No electronic monitoring /sensor Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access




Cabling: No backbone Optical Fiber present No Fiber Patch Panel present Legacy category 5 Interconnect to Gym patch panel Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks

Communications: No telephone access near network equipment Access to third-party tech support is problematic

⇒ Upper School Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Multi-use closet; used for generic student activities Generic Shelf (not rated for data equipment) mounted to wall

Security: Locked office door accessible by tech staff and maintenance No lock on switch closet door No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access


24




Cabling: No backbone Optical Fiber present No Fiber Patch Panel present Legacy category 5 Interconnect to Data Center patch panel Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks

Communications: Shared telephone (outside access enabled) close to network Equipment can access third party tech support without problems

⇒ Library Data Cabinet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Shared multi-use room UL rated Metal Data Cabinet; front and rear access door, lockable Grounded equipment rack

Security: No locking door; Shared multi-use room accessible by anyone Two locks on UL rated Metal Data Cabinet; accessible by tech staff only No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building 250 Amp circuit breaker panel access accessible by anyone

Power: One dedicated 20 Amp circuit on one 250 Amp circuit breaker Panel One Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) One networked monitored cards for UPS



25


Cabling: 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) LC Fiber Patch Panel Category 5e patch panel for interconnects to Data Center Category 5e Ethernet cables to equipment racks and wall jacks Category 5e Ethernet wall jacks

Communications: Shared telephone (tech support outside access enabled) near network equipment

⇒ Administrative Building Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Multi-use closet; used for administrative activities Mixed Use Metal Audio –Visual / Data Cabinet; front access only Non-electrical grounded equipment rack

Security: Locked closet door accessible by executive level personnel only Mixed Use Metal Audio –Visual / Data Cabinet not designed for lock or door No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access

Power: One dedicated 20 Amp circuit on one 250 Amp circuit breaker Panel One Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) No Power monitoring



Cabling: Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) Legacy ST Fiber Patch Panel and connections (connects to Data Center) Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks


26


⇒ Performing Arts Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Multi-use room; used for generic administrative activities Generic Shelf (not rated for data equipment) mounted to wall

Security: Locked office door accessible by tech staff and maintenance No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access




Cabling: No backbone Optical Fiber present No Fiber Patch Panel present Legacy category 5 Interconnect to Administrative patch panel Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack


⇒ Fuller Science Building Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Separate dedicated room One UL rated Two-Post non-grounded equipment racks

Security: One locked door accessible by tech staff and maintenance No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access

27


Power: One 20 Amp circuit on a shared one 250 Amp circuit breaker panel One Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) No Power monitoring

Cooling: One Fan unit connected to communal air conditioning; linked to building No temperature monitoring


Cabling: Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) Legacy ST Fiber Patch Panel (connects to Facilities Manger & Science Bldg.) Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables between patch panel to wall jack Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks


⇒ McDonough Building Switch Closet NCPI consists of the following:

Physical Structure: Separate dedicated room Two UL rated Two-Post non-grounded equipment racks

Security: One locked door accessible by tech staff and maintenance No electronic monitoring /sensor at closet; room linked to building Power accessible by anyone who has room and circuit breaker panel access

Power: Two 20 Amp circuit on a shared one 250 Amp circuit breaker panel One Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) One networked monitored cards for UPS

Cooling: One separate air conditioning unit One networked monitored temperature probe connected to UPS

28



Cabling: 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) LC Fiber Patch Panel to Data Center Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) Legacy ST Fiber Patch Panel (connects to Facilities Manger & Science Bldg.) Category 5e patch panel for interconnects to Data Center and wall jacks Legacy category 5 Ethernet cables (minor) between patch panel to wall jack Category 5e Ethernet cables (majority) to equipment racks and wall jacks Legacy category 5 Ethernet wall jacks (minor) Category 5e Ethernet wall jacks (majority)


************************************************************************

6.1.6 Current Backup Environment:

Bancroft School’s backup servers use EMC Retrospect software to perform multiple sets of daily incremental and full backups of the school's academic data. Once a week a full backup is completely restored onto portable fire-wire drives; the restore process verifies that the backup is valid and the data is usable. Additionally, any administrative related data from the Alumni, Bookstore, Library, and/or Technology Department that is within the dimensions of a Compact Disk (700 MB) or Digital Video Disk (4.2 gigabyte) is copied onto the appropriate disk media for archival purposes on a bi-monthly rotation. Our Linux student information database server backs itself up to a separate internal hard drive as well as to an on-board tape backup system. While the vendor (IMG) supports the software and server, the technology department physically changes the Backup Data tape every morning (Monday trough Friday) and is stored along with all the other backups. All Backed Up data is stored in a UL rated fireproof DATA safe which is located in the Fuller Science building. Accordingly, there is a reserve of three to four weeks of restored data archived at any given time.

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29


6.1.7 Synopsis for Current Network and Server Environment:

⇒ The current network and server environment improved significantly due to the investment made for Data Center infrastructure and

equipment, along with a partial rebuild of the campus’s optical fiber backbone. Because of this significant investment, the Network and Servers have been secure and reliable for the last three years. However, the continuing pace of implementing new emerging technologies and services has pushed the limits of the current Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) and is stretching the technology department’s ability to provide high availability and quality service.

While all areas of the current NCIP have different levels of deficiencies, two major issues are threatening the integrity of the current environment: electrical power and cooling. The Data Center’s electrical power and cooling cannot meet the current demands for all services in a fully protected mode. In order to avoid a systemic failure and to protect the essential services exclusively, all non-essential services and equipment have either been placed in a partially protected state -- or turned off and only activated on an “as needed” basis; all new requests for housing new services or equipment have been put on hold. The facilities manager and technology department, along with an electrician have estimated the current electrical amperage and wattage requirements to approximately 260 to 280 amps or 32,000 watts. At present, eight 20 amp circuits supply a total of 180 amps of power to feed the data center from a single shared 250 amp electrical panel and 10,000 watts of Uninterruptible Power Supply Batteries (UPS) protect equipment from electrical power loss and surges. Without question, our current requirements are beyond the range of a shared or dedicated single 250 amp electrical panel and our passive UPS structure.

⇒ The Data Center’s current cooling is coordinated and shared between two dedicated wall-mounted units and the school’s central air-

conditioning system. The Data Center’s cooling system is adequate and is able to keep the equipment within a reasonable range of 67 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. The dedicated rooftop AC unit above the Hill Switch Closet can keep the equipment at the optimal 60 degrees Fahrenheit under most conditions. However, both the Data Center and Hill Switch Closet systems show their weaknesses during extreme winter and summer external temperatures. According to the HVAC service technicians who service the Data Center and roof-top AC units on a regular basis, both AC units are neither rated for continuous 24 hour by 365 day usage, nor for the demanding continuous cooling output range of 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit during extreme winter and summer temperatures. Many times during cold and hot weather conditions, the dedicated cooling system for both the Data Center and Hill Switch Closet shut down to protect its internal systems from failure. The shut down time duration can last from a few hours to a week. The lack of proper cooling forces our equipment to operate outside of its specifications and increases the risk for complete failure. As aforementioned, any one piece of equipment failing negatively affects the rest of the network.

30


⇒ Virtual Security for the network from the outside (WAN) and inside (LAN) is secured by policy rules within both the Cisco 2821 Integrated Service Router and Cisco 3750 Catalyst Switches. The wireless LAN (WLAN) portion is secured by individual Linksys Access Points using its internal Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) algorithm. We are experimenting with a more robust RADIUS server or appliance in order to secure access to physical Ethernet ports. After we have adopted the best device, we will make a budget for another RADIUS for redundancy purposes; Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS is an AAA (authentication, authorization, and accounting) protocol that is used on enterprise networks control access to network resources. Web Filtering is secured using Cisco 512 Web Application Engine with imbedded WebSense Module with the Firewall activated. While every device works together to form the integrity of Bancroft School’s network security, there is no redundancy in place to accommodate a failure scenario.

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31


6.2 Future Environment - Network and Server Infrastructure

⇒ Network Recommendation – LAN / WAN

Complete the upgrading and elimination of the BUS portions of the physical optical fiber network; Eliminate Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) with ST Patch panels and upgrade to the current modern standard of 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) with LC Patch panels.

Complete the physical optical fiber network of 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) with LC Patch panels would provide a STAR topology throughout. However, a STAR topology does not provide any redundancy, so building a redundant backbone using a MESH topology should be the final goal.

Replace all legacy category 5 Ethernet cabling and wall jackets with either Category 5e or 6 Ethernet cabling. Upgrade from three T-1 internet access to four T-1 Upgrade from four T-1 internet access to fractional DS3 Replace current Cisco 2821 router with Cisco DS3 router; Use 2821 router to increase internal routing speed and

enhance security. Install enterprise class Cisco Wi-Fi access points to improve physical network security. Network Access Control (NAC) with accompanying monitoring tools Install a Radius server to provide network protection at the port level.

⇒ Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI)

Remediation work deficiencies for each specific physical node (Data Center, Hill Switch, etc.) within the current NCIP environment can range from simple and inexpensive tasks, such as securing a door for exclusive tech staff access, to complex and expensive as electrical restructuring.

Recommendation – Physical structure

Standardize equipment for each network node. Designate a dedicated locked room or a network cabinet with standard UL racking equipment hardware, patch panels and cable management.

Eliminate all equipment not rated for IT purposes. Remove and relocate network out of mixed use and janitor closets

Recommendation – Security Standardize security procedures and equipment for all nodes. Restrict access to network areas to tech staff and executive

level personnel only. Secure and restrict entry to any circuit breaker panel or outlet that feed a network node. Employ and coordinate electronic security monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan

for centralized campus monitoring

32


Recommendation – Power Rebalance all current network equipment for correct amperage usage of 280 amps Build additional dedicated circuits panels for expected growth of triple current amperage usage. Rebalance all current network and server equipment for UPS run time of one hour for 32,000 watts (32 kW). Purchase scalable centralized power management system (APC Symmetra) for the current usage and expected growth of

triple current wattage usage. Employ and coordinate electronic power monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan

for centralized campus monitoring Shared electrical backup generator for campus wide essential services beyond network services

Recommendation – Cooling Replace DC air conditioners with models designed for IT purposes. Rebalance all current network equipment for correct cooling temperature rating and duration; 60 degrees Fahrenheit for

continuous 24 hour year round usage Install dedicated precision air conditioner units rated for IT equipment for all nodes; Liebert DataMate/MiniMate or

equivalent IT rated equipment Purchase scalable cooling equipment for the current usage and expected growth of triple current BTU or kW usage. Employ and coordinate electronic cooling monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan

for centralized campus monitoring Shared electrical backup generator for campus wide essential services beyond network services

Recommendation – Fire Protection Employ fire protection consultant to evaluate fire protection efficiency for equipment for all network nodes. Employ and integrate consultant’s suggestions to all network nodes

Recommendation – Cabling Refer to Network remediation recommendations above

Recommendation – Communications Install dedicated telephone close to network (outside access enabled) for all nodes Coordinate and employ with facilities management a campus-wide handheld transceiver (walkie-talkie) system; many

campus wide facilities functions crossover with network operations. Recommendation –Within Bancroft’s next building project every consideration should be given to build a new larger Data

Center which should incorporate many of the above recommendations and save the premium costs of trying to update the existing Data Center while minimizing any potential down time.

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33


6.3 Milestones - Network and Server Infrastructure

LAN/WAN Action Steps Person(s)




Research, select, and install a Radius server to increase network security to the port level. Equipment and NRC charges for INTERNET access; Three T1s (4.5 Mbps) to Four T-1’s (6Mbps). Install fourth T-1. Complete the upgrading and elimination of the BUS portions of the physical optical fiber network; Eliminate Legacy 62.5/125um Multimode Optical fiber (1.0 gig @ 100m) with ST Patch panels and upgrade to the current modern standard of 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) with LC Patch panels. Complete the physical optical fiber network of 50/125um XG Laser Optimized Multimode Optical Fiber (10.0 gig @ 300m) with LC Patch panels would provide a STAR topology throughout. Equipment and NRC charges for DS3 access and security WAN/LAN reconfiguration; Cisco 2821 router with Cisco 3845 router; Use 2821 router to increase LAN routing speed and security. Additional cost of $2,200 / month for fractional DS3 (BURST to 20 Mbps) from 4 T-1 (6 Mbps). Start building MESH topology redundant backbone.

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

2008-9

2009

2009-2012

2009-2012

2010-2011

2010-2011

2012-2013

2009-2013

Radius server is installed an rouge devices can not connect to our network

Fourth T-1 functional

Fourth T-1 functional

DS3 is functional

DS3 is functional

$2,000

$3,000

$4,800 per yr.

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

$23,000

$26,400 per yr

Yet to be bid

34


Replace all legacy category 5 Ethernet cabling and wall jackets with either Category 5e or 6 Ethernet cabling on a project-by-project basis. Install enterprise class Cisco Wi-Fi Access points with physical security and configure multiple Wireless LANS (WLAN) for general Public. Network Access Control (NAC) with accompanying monitoring tools.

Network Admin

Network Admin

Network Admin

2009-2013

2010-2013

2010-2013

Multiple secure WLAN with available access

Yet to be bid

$1,000 per

access point

Yet to be bid

Physical Structure Action Steps Person(s)




Standardize equipment for each network node. Designate a dedicated locked room or a network cabinet with standard UL racking equipment hardware, patch panels and cable management. Eliminate all equipment not rated for IT purposes. Remove and relocate network out of mixed use and janitor closets.

Network Admin & Dir. of

Operations Network Admin

Network Admin

& Dir. of Operations

2009-2013

2009-2013

2009-2013

All network node equipment

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid Yet to be bid

Security Action Steps Person(s)




Secure and restrict entry to any circuit breaker panel or outlet that feed a network node. Standardize security procedures and equipment for all nodes. Restrict access to network areas to tech staff and executive level personnel only.


Operations

Network Admin

2009

2009-2013

Network circuit breakers & outlets are secure

Network areas are secure

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

35


Employ and coordinate electronic security monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan for centralized campus monitoring


Operations

2009-2013

Electronic security monitoring and sensors are

installed and functional

Yet to be bid

Power Action Steps Person(s)




Install additional DC power to cover current need, and rebalance all current network equipment for necessary amperage Install additional dedicated circuit panels for expected growth of triple current amperage usage. Rebalance all current network & server equipment for UPS run time of 1 hour 32,000 watts (32 kW). Purchase scalable centralized power management system (APC Symmetry) for the current usage and expected growth of triple current wattage usage. Employ and coordinate electronic power monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan for centralized campus monitoring. Investigate a shared backup generator for campus-wide essential services beyond network services.

Dir. of Operations

Network Admin

Network Admin


Operations Dir. of Operations

2008

2010-2012

2008-2010

2009-2013

2009-2013

Additional power installed and network equipment is

rebalanced Circuit panels are installed

to cover growth

After Symmetry installation power is

rebalanced

Monitoring installed

Report written and submitted

$13,000

Yet to be bid

2008 - $12,000 2009 - $12,000 2010 - $12,000

2010 - $12,000

2012 - $12,000

Cooling Action Steps Person(s)




Install dedicated precision air conditioner units rated for IT equipment for all nodes (Start with DC, and McDonough Center); Liebert DataMate / MiniMate or equivalent IT rated equipment.

Network Admin

2008-2012

Data Center summer ‘08 McDonough summer ‘09

Library summer ‘10

Yet to be bid

36


Rebalance all current network equipment for correct cooling temperature rating and duration; 60 degrees Fahrenheit for continuous 24 hour year round usage. Employ and coordinate electronic cooling monitoring and sensors to all network nodes with facilities management; plan for centralized campus monitoring. Purchase scalable cooling equipment for the current usage and expected growth of triple current BTU or kW usage.


Operations

Network Admin


Network Admin


2009-2010

2009-2010

2009-2013

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

Cabling Action Steps Person(s)




See Network remediation recommendations above.

Fire Protection Action Steps




Estimated Add. Cost

Employ fire protection consultant to evaluate fire protection on all network nodes. Employ and integrate consultant’s suggestions to all network nodes.

Dir. of Operations

Dir. of Operations

2009

2009-2010

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

Communications Action Steps




Estimated Add. Cost

Install outside access enabled dedicated telephone close to network for all nodes. Coordinate and employ with facilities management a campus-wide handheld transceiver (walkie-talkie) system; many campus wide facilities functions crossover with network operations.

Dir. of Operations


Operations

2009-2010

2009-2010

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

37


7. Technology Resources to Sustain and Meet Demand

7.1 Present Environment ⇒ Personnel (see Appendix A for job descriptions)

Director of Technology – 12 month Network Server Administrator – 12 month Support Engineer – 12 month Instructional Technologist – 10 month

⇒ Technology Professional Development

Professional Development days for faculty/staff are provided during the school, a portion of which is sometimes used for technology

Tech in 20 - Before and after school 20 minute quick sessions on various types of technology use throughout the school year. Session directions are archived on Bulldog Tales for review access.

W.I.N.K – What I Need to Know emails, archived for review access on Bulldog Tales Ask Al – Small video tutorials with audio which are available on and off campus for entire Bancroft Community Technology Wednesdays – Open training sessions from 11:15 to 12:30 and 3:30 to 5:00 pm

⇒ Hardware Inventory (Items shaded in Red (Gray if printed) are items that are behind in our replacement cycle)

Desktop # Service Repl. Year Laptop # Service Repl. Year 700 MHz eMac 1 GHz eMac 1.25 GHz eMac 1.42 GHz eMac 1.83 GHz Mac Mini 1.6 GHz iMac 1.83 GHz iMac 2.16 GHz Intel iMac

25

30 30 60 6 16 10 14

None

None None None None None None 1 year

2007

2008 2009 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012

600, 700, 900 MHz iBook 1.2 GHz iBook 1.33 GHz iBook 2 GHz Intel MacBook

32

10 34 28

None

1 Year 2 Years 3 Years

2007

2008 2010 2011

TOTAL Desktops 191 TOTAL Laptops 104

38


Mission Critical Servers & Switches – replace every 3 to 5 years

Critical Servers # Service Repl. Year Critical Switches # Service Repl. Year Apollo Socrates Lyceum RAID iPASS Sophos Development

1 1 1 1 2 1 1

3 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years None

5 Years

2010 2010 2010 2010 2008 2008 2013

DC DC DC

Router Library/Development

1 1 1 1 2

5x8x4 2009 2009 2009 2009 2013

TOTAL Servers 8 TOTAL Switches 6

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Supplemental Servers and Switches - replace every 5 to 6 years or as needed

Supplemental Servers # Service Repl. Year Supplemental Switches # Service Repl. Year Filemaker Library Catalogue Library Video Quark Tech Dept. Retrospect Back-up Data Storage

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

None None None None None None None

2008 2012 2012

2011 2009

McDonough Center Fuller Science Performing Arts Administration Physical Education Visual Arts Upper School

3 1 1 1 1 1 1

5x8x4 None None None None None None

2008 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011

TOTAL Servers 7 TOTAL Switches 9

39


Peripherals - replaced as needed

Peripherals # Service Peripherals # Service HP Laser Printers Color Printers Flatbed Scanners Wireless Access Points Video Projectors

31

11

6

19

45

None

None

None

None

None

Digital Still Cameras

Digital Video Cameras

TV’s

DVD/VHS Players

SmartBoard/Sympodium

25 6

10

10 8

None

None

None

None

None

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⇒ Hardware/Software Database As a tool, the Technology Support Engineer, maintains an inventory and knowledge database that stores the specific vital statistics of all our hardware and software.

40


⇒ Software

Total 20 Administrative applications Total 63 Educational applications *** Extensive upgrade costs will impact school year 2009-10

Titles Titles Titles Titles

Address Book Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Pro ***Adobe Creative Suite 2 ***Adobe GoLive CS2 ***Adobe Illustrator CS2 ***Adobe InDesign CS2 ***Adobe Photoshop CS2 Adobe Photo Ele. 4.0 Adobe Reader 7.0.8 Alice AppleWorks 6 Audacity 1.3.3 BBEdit BlueJ 2.1.3 Calculator Chess Dashboard Dictionary DVD Player EPSON Printer Utility Fathom 2 ***FileMaker Pro 7 Firefox Flip4Mac

GarageBand Gradekeeper Folder Graphic Converter Graphical Analysis 3.4 Hewlett-Packard iCal iChat iDVD iMovie HD Inspiration 7.6 iPhoto iSync iTunes iWeb iWork '06 jEdit 4.2 KidPix Deluxe3 Kidspiration 2 Logger Pro 3

MacLinkPlus Deluxe Mail Maple 10 MathType 5 ***Microsoft Office 2004 MicroWorlds EX Robotics Netscape NUTDC XML Converter Photo Booth Preview Quark XPress 6.0 QuickTime Readiris Pro 11 RealPlayer Remote Desktop ROBOLAB254 RobotProg11EN

Safari Scratch Server Tools Sherlock Sketchpad SmartBoard Sophos Anti-Virus Stickies StuffIt 11 TextEdit TextWrangler The VR Worx Toast 7 TinkerPlots Titanium Transmit Type To Learn 3 USB Shot Utilities

41


⇒ Established Technology Budgets

Budget Amount Purpose Capital Operations Maintenance/Repair

$115,000 $52,500 $16,000

Hardware upgrade and replacement

Recurring Services (ISP, iPASS, e-Mail Service, Microsoft Software Licensing, Web Filter, Virus Protection – totaling $38,000 yearly) Training Supplies Consulting Printer suppliers and repair Non-Warranty Repair

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42


7.2 Future Environment - Technology Resources to Sustain and Meet Demand

⇒ Personnel Since our last Technology Audit by the Bench Group in early 2004, the demands and expectations on the technology staff have

increased tremendously. The “good news” is that the administration, staff, and faculty are relying on technology to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively, and that the requests for additional services/tools are seemingly never ending. The “bad news” is that our existing staff is stretched and will not be able to continue to meet all the future demands in a timely fashion.

Recommendation – Commission a Technology Audit. This will help provide Bancroft School and its Technology Department with additional 3rd party direction and specific recommendations for the next 5 to 7-years.

Recommendation – Use the findings and recommendations from the technology audit, the current STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) guidelines, and our professional development and teaching needs to, if necessary, restructure/add personnel and/or roles and responsibilities to our existing Technology Department.

⇒ Technology Professional Development

Recommendation - With the changes and growth in technology, its continued integration into the fabric of every employees job responsibility and services Bancroft provides to our community, as well as into the school curriculum, it is imperative that Bancroft be proactive and establish a repetitive ongoing technology professional development training program. We also recommend that the administration include in their hiring and evaluation language, wording that requires faculty/staff to agree to improve their technology skills to match those needed by their job description within an agreed upon time frame. The goal of these recommendations is to require each individual to develop a professional development plan, which includes a technology strand. Having such a plan would provide a mechanism for keeping our faculty/staff professionally current and rejuvenated. From the technology perspective each employee would then be able to take advantage of the educational and productivity tools our technology infrastructure provides, as well as provide them with the skills necessary to evaluate and provide our students with the technology life skills to become successful global citizens, learners, and teachers of others. Students today have grown up using technology as a tool for everyday living; they have been described as “digital natives.” We must strive to make sure that our teachers, who might be described as “digital immigrants,” have the skills necessary to take advantage of and build upon the skills that our students possess.

Recommendations – A system needs to be established for new students entering Bancroft to receive the tech skill training necessary to ensure their success.

43


⇒ Hardware/Software Desktop

Recommendations – There is a continued request and demand for additional computers/laptops campus wide (see Appendix B - 2007 Tech Survey Summary). Without increased personnel to support this equipment, it is not recommended that these requests be approved. The number of computers and supporting devices on campus should only increase if additional personnel are added to the technology department or an out sourcing system is established to support them.

Software Recommendation – Evaluate the new MS Office 2008, compared to Open Office, and iWork Recommendation – Evaluate the new Adobe Suite features, compared to existing tools Recommendation – Update and re-image our desktop software and OS on a regular basis (summer, at Winter Break, Spring Break, and when a major security update is required)

AV Equipment Recommendation – Evaluate faculty/staff and operational A/V needs Recommendations – Develop a replacement cycle and budget to fund this support equipment (in particular our Theater and MPR projectors, TV’s, DVD/VHS players)

Server/Network See Topic 2 Future Environment

⇒ Budget Recommendation – With the substantial increase of reoccurring yearly operational costs (ISP, SIS yearly maintenance, virus

protection, e-mail, MS Office lease, & web filter) totaling $38,000 of a $52,500 budget, this budget total item needs to be re-evaluated.

Recommendation - Bancroft, using the recommendations of the previous and requested future Technology Audit, must each year fully fund its technology capital, operational, repair/maintenance, and personnel budgets in order to keep pace with the increase in services being provided and those being discussed for the future.

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44


7.3 Milestones - - Technology Resources to Sustain and Meet Demand

Personnel Action Steps Person(s)




Commission a third party Technology Audit, preferably by the Bench Group that did our previous audit. Discuss and implement the Personnel recommendations from the Technology Audit.

Headmaster

Tech. Dept & TAC

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Report and recommendations are

submitted to Headmaster

Headmaster receives personnel

recommendations

$5000

Unknown

Hardware/Software Action Steps




Estimated Add. Cost

Evaluate program needs and re-design a summer program to recharge the Tech Fellows group, if funding is available.

Tech. Dept

Spring 2008-9

Summer Institute and goals are presented to

Administration for funding and approval

None

Tech. Professional Development Action Steps




Estimated Add. Cost

Establish a set of minimum set of required faculty/staff required technology skills. Establish Faculty/Staff Technology Professional Development as a requirement for being a Bancroft Employee. Establish a minimum set of student technology skills for graduation. Evaluate & make recommendations for how to assess and improve if necessary, the tech skills of incoming MS/US students.

CLIC

Tech. Dept,

CLIC, & TAC

Tech. Dept CLIC, & TAC

Tech. Dept CLIC, & TAC

Spring 2009

Spring 2010

Fall 2009

Spring 2010

Recommended skills are submitted to Headmaster

Recommendations are

submitted to Administration

Recommendations is


Recommendations are


None

$20,000

None

Unknown

45


Recharge and expand the Tech Fellows group by providing one week of technology training to 10 new fellows, if resources are available. Repeat this program, every other summer, providing there is a funding source. Each year replace forty of our oldest desktops, according to our 5-year replacement cycle. Each year replace twenty-five of our oldest laptops, according to our 4-year replacement cycle. Survey Faculty/Staff to their current and future AV needs. Develop and report an AV replacement cycle and yearly budget. Evaluate and compare our basic desktop software applications to alternatives (MS Office, Adobe, Filemaker, Web 2.0, etc). Test and approve any potential changes or upgrades to software base. Schedule and budget faculty/staff training for any agreed upon software changes.

Tech. Dept

Tech. Dept

Tech. Dept

Tech. Dept

Tech. Dept & TAC

Tech. Dept &

TAC

Tech. Dept

Tech. Dept, CLIC & TAC

Tech Dept & Administration

Summer 2008-9

Summer 2010

Summer

Summer

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Summer 2009

Faculty complete summer training and serve as

mentors for colleagues

Hardware is installed by Sept. each year

Hardware is installed by

Sept. each year

Hardware is installed by Sept. each year

Survey administered

Report is submitted to the Administration

Report is submitted to TAC

Recommendations are submitted to the Administration

Install and Training

provided

$30,000

$30,000

$52,000

$32,500

None

None

None

Yet to be bid

Yet to be bid

46


Budget Action Steps Person(s)




Fully funded technology capital, operations, and maintenance/repair budgets. Review operations budget based on substantial increase in recurring costs. Re-evaluated all technology budget totals with respect to Technology Audit recommendations.

Headmaster

Tech. Dept & Administration

Tech. Dept &

Administration

Fall 2008

Fall 2008

Spring 2009

Hardware Replacement cycles are met

Technology budgets for 2009 are established

Technology budgets for

2009 are established

$115,000 cap. $53,000 op. $15,000 m/r

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47


8. Proactively Share, Inform, and Train to Ensure Faculty, Staff, and Student Technology Competence (From grade to grade and school to school)

8.1 Present Environment

⇒ Lower School Scheduled classes: Lower School students currently attend regularly scheduled Computer Skills classes.

Grades 1, 2, & 3 attend one 45-minute session every 6-day rotation. Classes consist of 8 – 10 students. Grades 4 & 5 attend three 45-minute sessions every 6-day rotation for two 8-week terms per year. Classes consist of 8 –

10 students. Course Objectives: The objective of the Lower School Computer Skills classes is two-fold.

Students learn basic computer operation and productivity skills such as the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, & Excel.

Students develop problem-solving skills through the use of programming languages (LOGO, Scratch, RobotProg, Geometer’s Sketchpad) and manipulatives such as PicoCricket & LEGO robotics.

⇒ Middle School

Scheduled classes: Currently only Grade 7 has a regularly scheduled class that meets for an 8-week term following the Arts rotation.

Elective classes: As part of the Arts Electives, at the discretion of the Technology Department, Grade 8 students are offered classes that vary in topic from year to year that are not a permanent part of the curriculum.

Technology Integration: Middle School classes in all of the disciplines require students to complete technology-integrated projects and to use the Internet as an effective research tool.

First LEGO League – Middle School supported a First LEGO League team for the first time in the 2007-2008 school year. Summer Training: For the past 3 years new incoming students to Bancroft have been invited to attend an optional training

session before the start of school. The goal of this training is to familiarize the students with their Bancroft computer account and basic technology skills.

⇒ Upper School

Scheduled classes: There are currently no regularly scheduled technology skills classes in Upper School. The art department offers classes in digital photography and computer graphics.

Technology Integration: Upper School classes in many of the disciplines require students to complete technology-integrated projects and to use the Internet as an effective research tool.

Summer Training: For the past 3 years new incoming students to Bancroft have been invited to attend an optional training session before the start of school. The goal of this training is to familiarize the students with their Bancroft computer account and basic technology skills.

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⇒ Faculty/Staff

New Faculty Training: Technology training is offered at the beginning of the school year for faculty and staff new to the campus. Two three-hour sessions cover the basics of account management and Bancroft’s main reporting and productivity applications.

Other Training Opportunities: Training opportunities for faculty are offered when new applications become available or a need arises to train faculty on priority topics. Training is offered during lunch or after school in short sessions. Longer sessions are offered on faculty professional days when time permits.

Summer Training for Administrative Staff: Summer training is offered for administrative office staff based on their requests and current need, or when new applications become available.

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8.2 Future Environment - Proactively Share, Inform, and Train to Ensure Faculty, Staff, and Student Technology Competence

⇒ Recommendations – Lower School Solid Curriculum – The scope & sequenced Lower School Technology Curriculum has been designed, tested and written to

meet the growing needs of the twenty-first century learner. This curriculum must be maintained and updated to stay current with available technology and classroom activities.

Evaluate Teacher Needs – The existing Instructional Technologist, who also teaches Middle and Upper School Computer Science classes, currently teaches the Lower School computer science classes. These roles and responsibilities need to be reviewed, evaluated and realigned to best meet the needs of our students and provide the technology services demanded by our community.

Classroom Adoption & Integration – The next step for the Lower School is to have all Lower School classroom and specials teachers support the technology curriculum by adopting taught practices and vocabulary in their classroom presentations and commit to integrating technology into their classroom assignments and project work. Technology support and training for classroom teachers during this process will need to be provided.

⇒ Recommendations – Middle School

Scheduled classes: Review and update the scope and sequence of the scheduled technology courses offered in Middle School, as well as the assumed technology skills required by its teachers. The current grade 7 course might better serve our grade 6 students. The technology and engineering branches of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) standards are not currently being met in the Middle School, when evaluated using either MA state standards or the recognized NETS (National Educational Technology) standards.

Evaluate Teacher Needs – The technology and computer science curriculum in the Middle School is currently taught by a teacher who also serves the Lower and Upper school. The necessity for a dedicated Middle School technology and computer science educator should be evaluated.

Technology Assessment: Students entering Bancroft’s Middle School should be evaluated for technology readiness. Such an assessment would help determine if students need support to meet the expected skill set required in their Middle School course work.

Classroom Integration – Each year MS teachers through their goal setting with their Division Head will expand the use of technology in their teaching.

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⇒ Recommendations – Upper School Scheduled classes: The technology skills required by the Upper School teachers should be examined and addressed in respect

to the need for a basic technology skills elective. Such a class would serve the needs of students who are not secure in their technology skills.

Evaluate Teacher Needs – The same teacher, who also teaches Middle and Lower School Technology, is currently teaching the Upper School Computer Science curriculum. The necessity for a dedicated Upper School technology and computer science educator should be evaluated.

Technology Assessment: Students entering Bancroft’s Upper School should be evaluated for technology readiness. Such an assessment would help determine if students need support to meet the expected skill set required in their Upper School course work.

Classroom Integration – Each year US teachers through their goal setting with their Division Head will expand the use of technology in their teaching.

⇒ Recommendations – Faculty/Staff

Adopt a Baseline Technology Skills Requirement. Develop a plan to ensure that all faculty/staff have the technology skills necessary to use Bancroft’s technology infrastructure to

fulfill their job responsibilities. Such a plan might include the administration of a basic technology assessment. Once this assessment is completed, faculty/staff members will use their results to develop, as part of their professional development plan, an action-plan for staying technology current.

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8.3 Milestones - Proactively Share, Inform, & Train to Ensure Faculty, Staff, & Student Technology Competence

Lower School Action Steps Person(s)




Review, evaluate and realign the roles and responsibilities of the LS/MS CS teacher to best meet the needs of our students and provide the technology services demanded by our community. Annually update the LS/MS Computer Curriculum to ensure that it stays current with available technology. Assist LS teachers as they integrate and connect aspects of the LS computer curriculum into their classroom curriculum.

LS/MS Computer Science Teacher

& Administration



June 2008

June 2008

2009-2012

LS/MS CS Teacher schedule is agreed upon for

2008

Curriculum maps are

updated to reflect changes

Classroom teacher curriculum maps are

updated to reflect these connections

None

None

Unknown

Middle School Action Steps Person(s)




Review, evaluate and realign the roles and responsibilities of the LS/MS CS teacher to best meet the needs of our students and provide the technology services demanded by our community. Evaluate new student tech skill preparedness and discuss with MS faculty their expectations and ways they our helping new students to adjust. Annually update the LS/MS Computer Curriculum to ensure that it stays current with available technology. Assist MS teachers as they integrate, infuse, and expand the use of technology in their teaching and the learning of their students.


& Administration

Dir. Of Tech. & MS Division

Head


Tech Dept & MS Division Head

June 2008

2008-2009

June 2008

2009-2012

LS/MS CS Teacher schedule is agreed upon for

2008

A plan is agreed upon with faculty on how to improve new student Tech Skills

Curriculum maps are

updated to reflect changes



None

None

None

Unknown

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Upper School Action Steps Person(s)




Evaluate new student tech skill preparedness and discuss with US faculty their expectations and ways they our helping new students to adjust. Evaluate and make a recommendation as to the need for a dedicated US Technology Teacher based on faculty feedback, and student preparedness. Assist US teachers as they integrate, infuse, and expand the use of technology in their teaching and the learning of their students.

Dir. Of Tech. & US Division Head

Dir. Of Tech. & US Division Head

Tech Dept & US Division Head

2008-2009

2008-2009

2008-2012

A plan is agreed upon with faculty on how to improve new student Tech Skills

Recommendations sent to

Administration



None

Unknown

None

Faculty/Staff Action Steps Person(s)




Create and adopt a set of baseline technology skills for all faculty/staff. Create and adopt an assessment tool for these baseline tech skills. Tech skills to learn are incorporated into each faculty/staff members professional development plan.

TAC, CLIC, & FSC

Tech Dept.

Each faculty/staff persons

supervisor

2008-2009

Spring 2009

Fall 2009

Baseline skills list approved

Assessment tool is

administered

PD Plans are submitted to supervisors

None

None

None

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9. Prioritized Recommendations and Cost Support 1. Fully fund all technology budgets to honor hardware replacement cycles and support requests. $115,000 cap.

$53,000 op. $15,000 m/r

2. During the fall of 2008, commission a Technology Audit, review, and report with recommendations.

$5,000

3. Through CLIC, assist them as they establish a set of baseline tech skills for each group, faculty, staff, & students, using the STEM (Science, Mathematics, and Engineering, and Technology) and NETS (National Educational technology Standards) guidelines.

Unknown

4. Through CLIC and with Administrative approval, develop and institute a Technology Professional Development Program for Faculty/Staff, possibly as part of a comprehensive PD program. This is vital in order to ensure that our Faculty/Staff are prepared to be able to take full advantage of the technology infrastructure provided to them and their students, as they fulfill their job responsibilities.

Unknown

5. Develop a separate yearly budget that supports the replacement of audio-visual equipment and its repair.

Unknown

6. Assist various division and department heads as they review their technology needs and support their technology initiatives (blogs, wikkies, forums, podcasts, etc).

Unknown

7. Continue to push forward initiatives to improve communications (e-notify, teacher websites, etc.) reduce our use of paper, postage and handling, by using the tools available through our website.

Unknown

8. Develop a system to aid new students improve their technology skills. Unknown 9. Using the recommendations from the Technology Audit, re-evaluate and establish the roles and

responsibilities for the Technology Department, and in particular those of the LS/MS/US Computer Science teacher.

Unknown

10. Review the successes of our previous Tech Fellows program, and reinstitute a more current version that supports Bancroft teacher needs of tomorrow.

$10,000

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Prioritized Recommendations and Cost Infrastructure 1. As Bancroft approaches any future retrofit or new construction, the location, expectations, and

potential uses of technology must be researched, planned, discussed, and incorporated in the design.

2. Upgrade Data Center electrical power to meet current and growth needs for the next couple years. $13,000 3. Replace Data Center’s existing 4-year old wall mounted air conditioner with one designed for IT. Unknown 4. Solve McDonough Center Data Closet’s yearly cooling issues to protect vital networking equipment. Unknown 5. Upgrade 5-year old iPASS servers to be able to handle current dBase software features and upgrades. $12,000 6. Test and install a Radius server to provide improved network security. $2,000 7. Add a fourth T-1 line to improve available bandwidth. $3,000

installation $4,800

additional each year

8. Migrate the online Library Catalogue & Accelerated Reader software to a newer more stable server. $2,000

We have experienced two major Data Center issues this year, these situations illustrate the unplanned nature of emerging technologies and how Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) must be designed to have scalable resources to accommodate unforeseen growth. See NCPI description on page 2.

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Appendix A Technology Department Job Descriptions est. 2004 With the advent of the Internet and technology integrated curriculum, the needs and complexity of the IT environment at Bancroft have changed. The need for a dedicated trained professional to manage and maintain this dynamic environment is critical. The goal of the enhanced IT infrastructure at Bancroft School is to successfully meet the IT demands of the Bancroft user community including, students, faculty and staff. The intent of this document is to define roles and responsibilities for the existing staff and the addition of one FTE to support the IT environment. Participation of the staff is critical to the formation of these roles. Following are job descriptions for the IT department at Bancroft School.

Technology Director The Director of Technology is primarily concerned with the development, implementation, operation, monitoring, and evaluation of the technology program at Bancroft. This individual provides leadership in identifying hardware and software purchases, ensuring that they are consistent with Bancroft’s technology plan. The Director provides philosophy, vision, oversight, and leadership for the School’s technology efforts. The Director is responsible for the management of department, budget and staff. Additional responsibilities include:

⇒ Supervision and evaluation of department ⇒ Membership on Administrative Council, CLIC, Education Committee, Marketing Committee ⇒ Budget creation and management ⇒ Purchasing of hardware and software ⇒ Management of all contracts and license agreements ⇒ Development of grants for outside funding in conjunction with the Development Office ⇒ Administrative personnel training and support ⇒ Management of iPASS operation and new feature deployment ⇒ Help desk (when necessary as second tier support) ⇒ Application support ⇒ Staying current with technology ⇒ Overseeing System Documentation ⇒ Participation in department and school meetings ⇒ Network administrative support (second-tier backup) ⇒ Library support (second-tier backup) ⇒ Database and offsite Backup (backup) ⇒ Grade 1-5,7 and 8 technology classes (second-tier backup) ⇒ Teach a class, if necessary

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Network Systems Administrator Design, manage and administer the network, server and workstation systems that comprise the School’s information technology environment. Work with members of the IT staff to manage the daily hardware, operating system, network and application operations of the school servers, workstations, and network. Provide direction and oversight for the Help Desk Support position. Provide input to the Director of Technology regarding philosophy, vision and insight for the technology needs of Bancroft School. Responsibilities include:

⇒ Network administration Configure and administer all routers and switches Configure and administer all firewall appliances and/or software Maintain all network wiring Configure, secure and maintain wireless network Design and implement security strategies for the network, servers and workstations Troubleshoot connectivity issues Monitor network performance and security

⇒ Systems administration Servers

Build and configure server operating systems Configure, administer and monitor all services [authentication (Kerberos), domain (Apple Open Directory), directory

(LDAP), file (AFP, FTP, SMB, NFS), email (POP, IMAP, SMTP), web (Apache, PHP, mySQL), print (AppleTalk, LPR), network booting, database, DNS, DHCP, VPN] and their associated protocols

Build and configure all server applications (calendar, database, systems integrity, trouble ticketing, web mail, listserv, license administration, RADIUS)

Design, configure and administer system security strategies Configure and manage user accounts

Troubleshoot systems issues escalated by Help Desk Support Configure and administer backup and recovery systems and strategies Monitor all systems performance and security

⇒ Custom database administration ⇒ Provide application training for users, in formal and ad-hoc settings ⇒ Server and network hardware and software evaluation ⇒ Recommend Purchasing to Director of Technology ⇒ Administrative personnel training and support ⇒ Train IT staff in basic help desk support strategies ⇒ Train IT staff to learn and become comfortable with basic network and systems troubleshooting, monitoring network performance, and

performing operational tasks

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⇒ Maintain awareness of current technologies and practices, attend training for new systems or versions ⇒ Maintain documentation for network and systems configurations ⇒ Participate in department and school meetings ⇒ Participate in budget creation and management

Help Desk Support Provides Tier-1 technical support to users of information technology in the Bancroft community. Areas include, LAN/WAN, multi-platform computing environment, Mac, Networks, Printer and Application support. Provides input to the Director of Technology regarding philosophy, vision and insight for the technology needs of Bancroft School.

⇒ Help Desk: first tier support for all users—students, faculty, staff ⇒ Network administrative support ⇒ Server administrative support ⇒ Workstations

Build and configure client operating system Build and design disk images based on user needs and computer hardware constraints Configure applications on client system disk images Configure and maintain OS and disk integrity systems Configure and maintain deployment systems for disk images Design, configure and document system build standards

⇒ Back-up data support ⇒ Application support ⇒ Database support ⇒ Tech Web administration ⇒ Help maintain documentation for network and systems configuration (second tier) ⇒ Participation in department and school meetings ⇒ Administrative and faculty training and support ⇒ Staying current with technology ⇒ Teach one class, if necessary

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Instructional Technologist The emphasis of the instructional technologist role is to enhance the technology skills of students, teachers, and staff. The instructional technologist is responsible for the development and implementation of technology in the curriculum. The instructional technologist also acts as a liaison between the faculty/staff/students and the IT staff providing direction and insight into the needs and requirements of the Bancroft community.

⇒ Teach grades 1 – 5, 7 and 8 technology classes ⇒ Structure and sequence Lower and Middle School technology curriculum ⇒ Collaborate with teachers on implementing technology in the classroom curriculum ⇒ Provide administrative personnel training and support ⇒ Create documentation and learning resources for teachers, staff and students ⇒ Recommend hardware, software and related resources necessary for curriculum support ⇒ Contribute to the philosophy and direction of the technology department ⇒ Participate in IT department and school meetings ⇒ Develop grants for technology related projects in conjunction with the Development Office ⇒ Stay current with trends in software, curriculum, teaching strategies and new resources ⇒ Support Curriculum Mapping until such time that the FileMaker System is replaced. ⇒ Help Desk

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Appendix B 2007 Faculty Staff Technology Survey Many thanks to all those who took this survey and shared their perspective on the technology service being provided and your needs/plans for the next 3 to 5-years. 66 faculty/staff members took the survey late last spring. They classified themselves in the following manner: 12-Admin, 7-Admin Support, 21-US, 11-MS, 15-LS

1. As part of your employment at Bancroft, how often each day do you use technology?

89% replied they use technology daily “Half the Time” or more, with 47% using technology “All the Time”.

2. Administrative, Instructional, and Personal uses of technology are

60%, 22%, and 9% for administration, and 28%, 45%, 16% for faculty

3. Over the past two years, what do you see as the positives in terms of technology at Bancroft School (Please reflect on stability, availability, access, training, additional tools, etc.)? If none, answer none.

See full report on Admin_Share in the Technology folder “07-Tech Survey Report”. 71 answered 4 answered “None”

4. During this past year, how many of our technology training offerings have you attended?

44% attended one session, 30% have not attended any training

5. Do you have the Tech Skills necessary to use the hardware that is available to you at Bancroft School?

38% answered Yes, 63% answered No

6. Please select all the tasks you are committed to learning over the next 3 to 5-years. Skills selected by over half those who answered were:

Learning to scan text and images, Use a video projector w/ computer, Take and edit a digital movie, Burn a CD, Build and burn a DVD project, Use a Sympodium/SmartBoard

7. If there is a hardware skill you would like to learn, that was not listed in Question 6 above; please describe it and how you plan to use it. See full report for these answers.

See full report on Admin_Share in the Technology folder “07-Tech Survey Report”. 18 answered

8. Do you have the Tech Skills necessary to use the software that is available to you at Bancroft School?

39% answered Yes, 61% answered No

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9. Please select the software tasks you are committed to learning over the next 3 to 5-years. Skills selected by over half those who answered were:

Mail merging data Using formulas in a spreadsheet Sorting data within a spreadsheet Making a graph using a spreadsheet Inserting pictures into a PowerPoint Inserting videos into a PowerPoint Inserting sound into a PowerPoint Adding pictures to my teacher webpage Creating an iMovie Creating mailboxes-storage, organization

10. If there is a software skill you would like to learn, that was not listed in Question 9 above; please describe it and how you plan to use it.


11. When you have needed technology training (one-on-one or group), which describes your level of satisfaction with its availability?

92% replied they were satisfied “Most of the Time” or more, with 35% training was “Always Available”.

12. Please list some suggestions that would improve your satisfaction level and improve its availability.


13. When you have needed technology training, describe the quality of service you have received and your level of satisfaction with its quality.

89% replied that the quality was “Above Average” or more, with 28% saying the quality was “Superior”.

14. Please list your suggestions that would help us improve our quality of service to you.


15. Please rate your familiarity with our online technology training resources (Ask Al, Tech Web/Bulldog Tales)?

60% replied that they were “Familiar or Very Familiar”, but 40% were “Not too Familiar”.

16. How often do you consult with a member of the Technology Department for technology training or a technology recommendation?

59% consult “Half the Time” or more, but 41% consult “Infrequently”.

17. Please rate the availability of the following technology resources as you work to fulfill your job responsibilities.

Hardware rated 96% available Software rated 97% available Network/Internet rated 94% available

18. Please specifically describe what needs to be improved over the next 3 to 5-years.


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19. What are the current problems/roadblocks you find to using technology at Bancroft? If none, answer none.

See full report on Admin_Share in the Technology folder “07-Tech Survey Report”. 66 answered 23 answered “None” 10 answered “Time”

20. What areas of technology would you like to see Bancroft pursue over the next 3 to 5-years? If none, answer none.


21. What do you see as being the problems/roadblocks to the vision you expressed in Question 20? If none, answer none.

See full report on Admin_Share in the Technology folder “07-Tech Survey Report”. 66 answered 26 answered “None” 26 answered “Money” 7 answered “Time”

22. Do you envision yourself integrating additional technology into your curriculum over the next 3 years?

58% answered Yes = 38 42% answered No

23. Please describe your vision, and how it will change your teaching and the learning for your students?


24. If you answered YES in Question 22, what are your plans to make this happen?


25. If you answered YES in Question 22, please describe any additional technology support you are going to need.


26. If you answered NO to Question 22, please describe your thoughts on why you are not going to integrate. Also, list any obstacles that would make it difficult for you to integrate our technology resources.


27. Additional Comments, enter None, if you have nothing to add.


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Appendix C 2006-08 Technology Departments Goals and Initiatives Refer to the Technology Section of Bancroft’s website for archived Goals and Initiatives

⇒ Technology Department Goals

Write and obtain TAC and Administrative Cabinet approval for a three-to-five-year Technology Plan that builds upon our previous Technology Strategic Plans.

Develop and implement a Computer Science Curriculum thread K-12. Continue the deployment of our new website as the main communications tool for Bancroft School. Assist Administration as it moves the existing Alumni and Development dBase to a platform that has dedicated support. Continue to explore database alternatives to our current Student Information System. Continue to plan technology professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. Complete the installation of ceiling mounted projectors in classrooms campus wide. Continue to work toward a mesh network topology. Formalize an A.V. policy and submit it for approval.

⇒ Technology Department Initiatives

Curricula Support the K-12 Curriculum Director and faculty as they continue the Curriculum Mapping process. Continue to revise and adjust the Computer Science curriculum K-12. Work through CLIC to develop a comprehensive Computer Science curriculum for grades 1 -12 where appropriate. Formalize a faculty laptop program for those who wish to participate. Assess Academic Departments as to their potential technology needs/initiatives over next 3 to 5 years.

Training Provide new faculty and student technology training for two days near the end of August. Provide an initial phase of mandatory staff technology training and evaluate its effectiveness. Provide repetitive faculty web site training sessions throughout the school year 2006-7. Continue to use “Tech in Twenty” and “WINK” (What I Need to Know) to provide training opportunities.

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Software Plan and roll out the Alumni Portal of our new website. Continue to implement existing Finalsite features to enhance our new web site as the main communications tool for

Bancroft School. Test and discuss the new Finalsite portals, and recommend which portals should be a priority for future implementation. Continue to implement iPASS features and create directions for specific end users. Develop and have approved clear, website policies and procedures. Add a new software tool to Computer Science called Alice and test where it will have its greatest impact on the interest

and development of CS skills. Infrastructure/Systems

Plan, install and implement a stronger LAN security infrastructure (Cisco Network Access Control, etc.) Continue upgrading our fiber connections to and from the Data Center. The plan shall be in the following sequence: (1)

Library-Alumni, (2) Administration-Performing Arts, (3) Athletic Center and Visual Arts, (4) Fuller Science. Continue upgrading the older and slower switches in the McDonough Center with faster switches. Continue to increase Bancroft’s Internet bandwidth. Add additional T1 lines (1.5 megabit /sec) until it is economically

feasible to purchase a Fractional T3 line (DS3 equals 45 megabit /sec) Complete and update yearly the documentation of our technology infrastructure, passwords, as well as technology

policies and procedures. Continue to refine the purchasing, inventorying, (Data base improvement), maintenance, support and scheduling use of

all A. V. equipment. Continue to review Bancroft’s dependence on print material to communicate and develop strategies and make

recommendations for alternate methods of communications. Plan, install and implement for a failover /offsite secure, climate controlled server room for data recovery.

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Documents

1.0 Executive Summary Page 2 7.0 Technology …...1 Bancroft School Strategic Technology Plan 2008-2013 Submitted 4/16/08 CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary Page 2 2.0 Mission Statements