LC Board learns about tech updates

LIBERTY CENTER - The Liberty Center Local Schools Board of Education Monday heard about district technology updates from Technology Coordinator Dustin Ruffell, which included an overhaul of the public announcement (PA) system.

Liberty Center Local Schools Superintendent Richie Peters noted the district has been in operation at its current facilities for seven years now, but as technology rapidly advances, the systems in place at the school are being reviewed for the purposes of budgeting and safety.

Ruffell noted the staff at the district has been critical in getting such updates implemented.

"All of this can't be done without this group of people," he said.

Ruffell echoed the stance of being on top of the district's technology needs for the purposes of budgeting.

"We need to look at, 'How do we make it sustainable?' and not get surprised by big ticket items," he said.

Ruffell added he has been doing school technology services for nearly 10 years, and he noted security is one area of schools that is continually changing.

"It's a completely new world," he said.

Ruffell reported security items addressed for the district includes a full cyber assessment through the Northwest Ohio Computer Association, an account cleanup, an automation of student accounts and security featuring regarding the naming and passwords of those accounts, multi-factor authentication (MFA) for staff members and using online backup methods. Ruffell said multiple security factors were also addressed by the district in response to state law, specifically items such as Senate Bill 29 (education records and student data privacy) and House Bill 432 (career-technical education licensing).

Software and management improvements included updates to antivirus and device management software, and the elimination of redundant and unnecessary services. Looking at hardware, Ruffell said he has been managing the district's servers, rewired the middle school gymnasium's audio system, rewired the education center, replaced a network core and managed updates to phone systems, PCs and smart boards.

Ruffell addressed the district's servers, noting it had 20 overall servers in place, half physical and half digital. He said for a district the size of Liberty Center, he personally recommends three to six servers.

Ruffell said at least two of the physical servers had support for them end in recent years, so they could have been vulnerable to a cyberattack unless they were removed from service.

Ruffell said his long-term goal is to take the district down to one physical server. He explained another reason for doing so is in physical servers costing approximately $10,000.

"It's the cost, and plus, we don't need them," Ruffell said of the excess of servers.

Ruffell added moving over to a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone system results in costs savings, and the antivirus and MFA updates meets insurance requirements for the district.

Ruffell also explained the PC updates, ensuring they are outfit with the Windows 11 operating system. Microsoft has scheduled an end of service for the Windows 10 operating system, prompting these updates.

Ruffell said the biggest project staff has recently addressed was in its new PA system, which was completed over the summer.

Ruffell said he came into the position amid the district receiving a grant, which started on the idea of adding a system for panic buttons for school safety. He said there was potential to have a new PA/communications system do this function and tie the systems together.

As a result, the district used the approximately $40,000 in funding to purchase what would be the "brain" of the new system the previous year.

Ruffell said the existing PA system was creating issues, which included no vendor was willing to work on the system. He added the old system required regular restarts, there were no outside speakers and the in-room call buttons were failing.

Ruffell said the full system is now tied into one source, with added speakers that include external speakers around the full campus.

It was asked if this system also covers the spring sports complex, and Ruffell said it currently does not. However, because the system is expandable, it is possible in the future if the district decides to do so.

The new system has in-room emergency buttons, two-way in-room communications and can be customized if desired.

It was noted there are at least two vendors that currently service this system as well.

Ruffell said the system will be worked into the district's overall safety plan, as the units include buttons for emergency calls and lockdowns. In the event of a lockdown, there is a "check in" button that staff can activate to notify the overall system that a classroom is safe and secure.

Both Ruffell and Peters noted the system has been implemented with all features in place. Ruffell said there is a plastic shell that covers these units, so that eliminates the possibility of someone accidentally touching an emergency button.

Ruffell and Peters said it is hoped educating staff and students on the system will prevent unwarranted use of the emergency buttons, but if this is something that becomes an issue, the features can be modified or removed.

"I'm excited about this. We're learning a new system, so we're getting it tweaked the way we want it," Ruffell said.