Information Technology and Library Media Services The Information Technology and Library Media Services Department (ITLS) consists of three teams: Digital Learning, Library Services, and Technology Support and Services. The three teams work together to provide instruction, materials, and services critical to teaching, learning, and operational needs of the district. Digital Learning Specialists (DLS) support students and staff in the use of digital tools to improve teaching and learning, and also support the explicit instruction to students of digital learning and computer science standards. Library teachers instruct students and staff in the use of library resources, with a specific focus on digital literacy, research skills, and ethical use of both print and digital materials. Technology Support and Services provide technical and administrative support for all education, communication, and operational services including supporting data, phone, computer, media, and network resources districtwide. The FY27 budget increases the technology purchasing budget by $550,000 over the FY26 baseline budget. In FY26, the budget was reduced by $400,000 with $550,000 provided separately from city one-time funding. Therefore, the FY27 increase effectively provides level funding for technology purchasing. Overall, this continues to leave a $600,000 gap in funding for identified districtwide technology upgrades including aging classroom audio-visual equipment and student devices. It will continue to fund staff device replacements, incremental student device replacements, and typical costs for systems maintenance and software licensing. The Horace Mann, Countryside, and Franklin Projects will mitigate some of this shortfall in FY27 by providing needed upgrades to those building networks, classroom technology, and student devices. Staffing levels in ITLS are projected to remain as is – neither increasing nor decreasing – except the potential for changes in elementary library teachers to account for enrollment shifts. We continue to struggle to meet the needs for digital learning and technology integration instruction and support throughout the district due to reductions (9.4 FTE to 6.5 FTE) in FY26 to Digital Learning Specialists.
-75-
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator