34 | ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | ANNUAL REPORT 2024–2025
Operations FACILITIES, FOOD SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY, AND TRANSPORTATION
TECHNOLOGY This year, the Education Technology department advanced a comprehensive strategy to modernize district infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, and align with Zero Trust security principles. Through successful acquisition of multiple federal and state technology grants, we funded critical upgrades that enhance operational resilience without increasing the financial burden on the district. A major milestone was the installation and configuration of a new enterprise-grade firewall system, significantly enhancing our network’s security, reliability, and performance. This upgrade also positions the district to better support future growth in digital learning and cloud-based services. In tandem with this effort, we began transitioning to a Zero Trust framework by initiating upgrades to our Network Access Control (NAC) system. This shift enables cloud-based identity authentication and enforces access controls, ensuring that only verified users and secure devices can access district resources. We continued to bolster our cybersecurity posture through the expansion of multi-factor authentication on critical points of infrastructure, staff cybersecurity awareness training, and the development of district
guidelines for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence tools.
Assistant Facilities Coordinator, an Administrative Assistant, an Energy Manager, four Tradespeople, two Grounds staff, and 29 Custodians. Key projects included: • HVAC Control System Upgrade at R.J. Grey Junior High: Replaced an obsolete and catastrophically failed system. • Administration Building Roof Replacement: A long-overdue replacement of a 35-year-old leaking EPDM roof, which had caused significant damage. • Blanchard Schools Playground: Completed demolition of the old playground and installed a new one. • Elm Street Softball Field Fencing: Installed perimeter fencing with added sections for safety. • Other Significant Projects: This included a ventilation project in the High School chemical storage room, and a major repair of the Parker Damon building’s chiller. The Facilities team also completed over 1,500 work orders for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical system main- tenance and repairs, tracked via their new ticket system.
These initiatives, along with continued support for platforms that meet student data privacy standards, reflect our ongoing commitment to building a secure, scalable, and future-ready technology foundation for all district operations. TRANSPORTATION We are pleased to share that the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District recently received a grant of $1,432,952 through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s School Bus Deployment program. This funding will support the district’s efforts to replace diesel buses with electric ones, helping to improve air quality and promote a healthier environment for our students and community. The program also offers technical support to help ensure a smooth transition to cleaner transportation. FACILITIES In early FY25, the AB Facilities department balanced daily operations with planning numerous Capital Improvement Projects. The team comprises a Director of Finance and Operations, a Facility Coordinator, an
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