Technology
The Los Lunas School District Technology Department currently maintains approximately 3800 computers. Each of the 16 school sites have a minimum of three machines per classroom and a minimum of one 30 machine computer lab. All computers are connected to the internet, have Microsoft Office and Publisher installed along with site specific and administrative software as required. In addition to the computers we maintain approximately 70 laptops, 1200 printers and myriad other equipments including digital cameras and projectors, radios, their antennas and masts.
Services We Provide
- Forms and Publications -Acceptable Use Policies & Internet Safety Information
- PC Maintenance-Troubleshooting and repair of PC's. Troubleshooting and repair of printers. Troubleshooting and repair of laptops. Warranty parts and repair submissions
- Help Desk Support-Receiving, logging and repair assignment of trouble reports based on phone calls and work orders. Tracking and reporting of trouble calls to identify repetitive problems and to establish a knowledge database for rapid problem resolution
- LAN Support-Planning and implementation of network switching, routing, and local drops. Maintenance of physical equipment such as switches, routers, and radios. Coordinating with the maintenance department personnel to provide electrical requirements for labs and other high density rooms. Coordinating with plant maintenance personnel to provide ditching services to lay conduit for network cabling.
- Data Management-SASI (Student Information System), STARS (Student and Teacher Accountability Reporting System). Maintain SQL servers for VersaTrans, Fleet Vision and Win Snap.
- Asset Management-Coordinate site equipment needs based on deprecation schedules and emerging new requirements. Consolidate equipment orders for all sites to ensure best value. Transfer assets among sites to provide optimum efficiency. Track technology assigned assets to maintain inventory control.
- Telecommunication Management-Compile and submit E-rate documentation to provide phone and data monies. Maintain the VOIP system.
- Parts Supply Management-Maintain an on-hand supply of small items such as surge protectors, small switches, and network cables.
- Software Support Management-Ensure licensing requirements for all district software are met. Coordinate software purchases with the Curriculum Department. Ensure compliance with district guidelines for installed software.
History of the Technology Program in the Los Lunas Schools
Since the initial approval of legislation allowing local communities to support school-based technology, commonly known as the 3-mill levy, the voters of Los Lunas have been consistently supportive of technology in the Los Lunas Schools. In 1997, the voters of the community passed a 3-mill levy for the first time. At that time, the District had a wide assortment of computers ranging from Apple II's to Pentium level PC clones. Of these, only 397 machines were considered net workable, and of those, about 120 computers had been purchased the prior year with state technology funds for labs at Daniel Fernandez Intermediate School and Raymond Gabaldon Intermediate School.
Over the course of this first five-year cycle the district's efforts were focused on increasing the number of networked computers in classrooms, the development of computer labs at school sites, and the creating of a working data network for the Los Lunas Schools. As a result, more than 2,000 networked computers were added to the system. Special-purpose technical labs were established at Los Lunas Middle School, Manzano Vista Middle School, Los Lunas High School, and the Career Academy, and overall connectivity among school sites was greatly improved.
in 2002, the 3-mill levy was renewed by Los Lunas voters. Since that time, the District has continued to increase the number of networked computers and improve its overall connectivity. During this most recent funding period the District has:
- adopted a protocol for replacing 20% of its desktop computers yearly to keep the system up-to-date and capable of running current software;
- added optical fiber connections among half of the school sites with a project currently underway to add two more schools to the fiber network;
- established high speed radio links where the fiber connections are not available; and
- creation a platform to move the District into video conferencing, video streaming and distance learning.
Beyond the increase in hardware district-wide, and the improvement and enhancement of the network, mill levy funds had been utilized in a variety of other ways, including
- the improvement of classroom instruction, utilizing research-based programs such as Carnegie Learning and Read 180;
- the automation of school libraries, including the ability to search the library catalog at any school from a remote location at any other school;
- teacher training and collaboration, with improved capacity to transmit and receive training at the Teacher Resource Center;
- on-line communication among staff, as evidenced by a common directory of instructional information shared by academic coaches at each elementary school;
- and a variety of computer assisted learning programs at school sites.
Clearly, the generosity and community spirit of voters in Los Lunas has supported the growth and improvement of technology across the Los Lunas Schools. In 2006, as we approach the next 3-mill levy election, scheduled to be held in February 2007, the Los Lunas Schools are among the leaders in school technology in New Mexico, and with the adoption of this plan, Los Lunas will be among the most technically sophisticated school districts in the country.
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