Technology

Department of Technology

Our goal is to provide up to date technology for our students, and staff, training to assure effective use of technology, a readily available infrastructure to minimize down-time, and service that exceeds expectations. The technology department is staffed with ten full-time employees; including the Director, Helpdesk/Secretary, Network Administrator, Network Assistant/District Technician, four building technicians and a Database Administrator. This department oversees network services, telecommunications, desktop, and application support services for Prairie-Hills Elementary School District 144. We maintain multiple servers that provide network authentication, VoIP Communication, applications management, student management, network security, and more. There are more than 2,500 desktop and laptop computers being utilized in the district, creating a near 1:1 computing environment for our students. The Technology Department maintains an eight location, wide-area network (WAN). In addition, each building has wireless access, through which students, staff, and visitors can connect to the Internet. The District’s network is accessible to over 3,000 authorized users, this includes both students and staff.

The District was a recipient of the Competitive Low-Cost Laptop grant through the Illinois Board of Education for over $900,000.00 for the 2011-12 school year. This allowed the district to purchase over 800 Netbooks and 30 Laptop Carts allowing 1:1 student/computer ratio in 30 classrooms. The classrooms were also equipped with Interactive Projectors that allow teachers and students to engage at a higher level in the classroom. Training was provided to teachers on the use of equipment.

This year the District is implementing a new Mitel VOIP Telephone system, a Digital Content Management System, and Lesson Plan Portal, all in an effort to create a working and learning environment that lends itself to integrating technology in all that we do. Additionally, we are equipping additional classrooms with interactive projectors in an effort to assure that students and teachers in every classroom have access to technology that will allow students to gain the skills needed in the 21st Century.

Standardized Technology curriculum and expectations per grade level are being introduced in an effort to ensure our students are becoming skilled in the selection and use of technology.

We will be working on a New Technology Plan that will detail goals for the next three years, as our current plan will expire at the end of this school year. The new plan will be written in cooperation with staff and community and published here after the plan has been approved by the Illinois Board of Education.

We look forward to a rigorous, exciting, and rewarding school year for all of the Prairie-Hills District 144 Family!

Click here to view our 2014-2016 Technology Plan.