Post by momto4 on Mar 11, 2011 13:19:37 GMT -5
beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/schools/4191196-418/d204-to-purchase-new-data-storage-system.html
District 204 is updating its electronic student data storage system, and not a moment too soon, according to Dave Holm, assistant superintendent of business for the district.
The board of education Monday night approved the purchase of the SunGard eSchool PLUS student information system. The system software license will cost the district $500,000 and other services, including installation and training, are $700,000, for a total cost of $1.2 million.
“We are living on borrowed time with this (current) system,” Holm said. “It will eventually break down. There is clearly a need to purchase this.”
The information system manages data that relates to students directly including courses, grades and scheduling, health, discipline, attendance and registration.
The current system is 25 years old. It was upgraded in 1998 in the high schools and in 1999 in the middle schools. The hardware, that was last updated in 2002, is no longer available.
“We are one of three school districts in the nation on that system, said Jay Strang, assistant superintendent instructional services. “I think we’ve gotten our mileage out of it.”
The new system will do the job of nine systems currently in place. It will allow teachers, principals and other staff better access to data and make it possible for parents and students to access certain information including schedules and course selections.
“We are going to have timely data and the users, people in the building, will be able to access that data more easily,” Strang said.
Stan Gorbatkin, director of technology services for the district, said other local districts are using this same system including West Aurora, Oswego, Geneva and St. Charles.
Its capabilities will help streamline the operations of the district, help staff members prepare customized reports for federal and state requirements and make it possible for parents to have limited access for such things as inputting information or to download their child’s schedule and course options.
“Right now our parents have to give feedback in multiple ways and in multiple systems,” Gorbatkin said. “Eventually, as we move through implementation as part of the registration process and beyond, parents will be able to go in and update their information and then there will be a verification process. ... That’s just one of the many examples of this that will allow for better communication because it’s consolidating the systems. We are really looking forward to that because we know how much our community values timely information with as little effort on their part to provide information.”
Board member Alka Tyle said the new system will save staff time but also help the district better realize student achievement goals set by the district, including increasing the SAT scores and reducing the achievement gap.
“Every one of those goals is so dependent on accurate and relevant and timely student performance data and this is right at the heart of that,” she said. “It’s a big investment, this system, but the benefits it will accrue over the long term are going to be very significant in allowing us to achieve our goals.”
Strang said it will probably take 16 months before all the major components are in place and staff members are trained.
The district has hired the Baird Group to assist in the implementation process.
District 204 is updating its electronic student data storage system, and not a moment too soon, according to Dave Holm, assistant superintendent of business for the district.
The board of education Monday night approved the purchase of the SunGard eSchool PLUS student information system. The system software license will cost the district $500,000 and other services, including installation and training, are $700,000, for a total cost of $1.2 million.
“We are living on borrowed time with this (current) system,” Holm said. “It will eventually break down. There is clearly a need to purchase this.”
The information system manages data that relates to students directly including courses, grades and scheduling, health, discipline, attendance and registration.
The current system is 25 years old. It was upgraded in 1998 in the high schools and in 1999 in the middle schools. The hardware, that was last updated in 2002, is no longer available.
“We are one of three school districts in the nation on that system, said Jay Strang, assistant superintendent instructional services. “I think we’ve gotten our mileage out of it.”
The new system will do the job of nine systems currently in place. It will allow teachers, principals and other staff better access to data and make it possible for parents and students to access certain information including schedules and course selections.
“We are going to have timely data and the users, people in the building, will be able to access that data more easily,” Strang said.
Stan Gorbatkin, director of technology services for the district, said other local districts are using this same system including West Aurora, Oswego, Geneva and St. Charles.
Its capabilities will help streamline the operations of the district, help staff members prepare customized reports for federal and state requirements and make it possible for parents to have limited access for such things as inputting information or to download their child’s schedule and course options.
“Right now our parents have to give feedback in multiple ways and in multiple systems,” Gorbatkin said. “Eventually, as we move through implementation as part of the registration process and beyond, parents will be able to go in and update their information and then there will be a verification process. ... That’s just one of the many examples of this that will allow for better communication because it’s consolidating the systems. We are really looking forward to that because we know how much our community values timely information with as little effort on their part to provide information.”
Board member Alka Tyle said the new system will save staff time but also help the district better realize student achievement goals set by the district, including increasing the SAT scores and reducing the achievement gap.
“Every one of those goals is so dependent on accurate and relevant and timely student performance data and this is right at the heart of that,” she said. “It’s a big investment, this system, but the benefits it will accrue over the long term are going to be very significant in allowing us to achieve our goals.”
Strang said it will probably take 16 months before all the major components are in place and staff members are trained.
The district has hired the Baird Group to assist in the implementation process.