The Atlantic School Board received updates Wednesday evening with regard to district technology progress, school progress and planning, and the budget. The work session served as a sort of “primer” for what they can expect in the year ahead, as well as a familiarization with various acronyms, which was helpful for new school board members.

Roger Warne

Prior to making his report to the Board, District Technology Coordinator Roger Warne (Warn) gave new Board members Alison Bruckner, Jenny Williams, and Keith Swanson, former Board President Kristy Pellett and current Board President Josh McLaren, new 1:1 (one to one) laptop computers. The same type of laptops are issued to students. Pellett and McLaren were issued their laptops almost 8 years ago. Warne said their computers are so old he cannot even effectively update them.

Warne said the Technology Department keeps very busy managing and repairing the district’s computers and related components. He said they manage and repair 1,200 Mac devices, 95 I-pads, 135 Chrome Books, 100 Windows devices, and 475 1:1 devices that include the Windows Operating System.

The Technology Dept. also handles the District’s surveillance cameras and recorders. There are 45 digital cameras and assorted analog cameras. The analog cameras are located in the Washington and Schuler Schools. Warne says one of the keys to the operation of cameras and computers is the District’s network system, which includes fiber optics. The current bandwidth is 200 megabits, with an average of 50-to 60-percent of that used each day. The department also handles the district’s phone system, which he says will need replacing in years to come.

He says also, the district has saved about $80,000 through a reduction in the number of printer/copiers that are being made available.

Board Secretary/Business Manager Mary Beth Fast reported to the Board they will receive budget projections next month from Gary Sinclair, who represents PMA Financial and the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). Sinclair will cover five year projections with regard to the District’s unspent balance.