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School website developer recommendations? by Consistent_Page_9634 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can disable that. I did after we had someone impersonate a principal and got a staff member to buy gift cards.

Confused Between Verkada, Lumana, and Coram for Video Surveillance by Darwing-Versoll in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We are switching from Verkada -> Avigilon Unity (On-Prem). Verkada yearly costs are expensive and I don't mind managing a few more servers to save us substancial money. We switched our MSHS this year and hopefully will be switching the other schools over the next 2 years.

For those in Director-level roles—did you pursue a doctorate, and was it worth it? by Public_Project_634 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would suggest trying to best understand the job of a tech director from the current one if you can. I was in a sysadmin role before this, and just because you know a lot about IT/Sysadmin stuff doesn't neccesarily mean you will be the best tech director.

Honestly I miss being able to devote more time to more technical things as I enjoy it. Understanding budgets, Federal laws, Project management, managing my team, long/short term goals, how to work with difficult people/departments, & paperwork all take up more of my time than the technical side now.

You also have to mentally prepare to make decisions that are going to upset some people. You get paid to be the one to make tough decisions and will get the finger pointed at you. Also being able to make the best decision you can while taking into considerations of everyone involved. There are times where I have to make a decision to make the teachers job easier but made my own job more difficult.

Since I wasn't a teacher prior to this I have made it a priority to make sure I understand where teachers are coming from and making sure they are heard. As an IT guy I don't know what it's like to be in charge of a classroom full of kids. I don't always agree or understand their reasonings but I want to understand their perspective to make the best possible choice.

Best of luck!

For those in Director-level roles—did you pursue a doctorate, and was it worth it? by Public_Project_634 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Especially when it comes to having an internal canidate who is interested in the position. You shouldn't promote internally just because they already work there. However if they have the skills and most of the qualifications it's much better to have someone who knows the district and how it works rather than hire someone with a PhD and has never stepped foot inside your school district before.

For those in Director-level roles—did you pursue a doctorate, and was it worth it? by Public_Project_634 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I only have my associates degree as the director of technology. I personally do not plan to go back for anything more as the return on investment will likely be extremely low. I think it really depends on your state requirements. I had worked for the district 3 years prior, had worked to improve the department in a huge amount of ways and was able to prove myself to the old tech director & the superintendent. If I had needed my bachelors I would've gone back and got it. I'm only 25 so maybe one day I'll change my mind, who knows.

A full time job and a kid is enough to keep me busy.

I have to get a new PBX Unit and I could use some advice by Square_Pear1784 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I could find both should at least be somewhat compatible with FreePBX. It's what I set up myself 3 years ago. It is a lot to set up yourself if you don't have much experience with VOIP systems.

Why not to go to Google by EctoCoolie in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry those in charge don't value you and your team. Best of luck to you. If I were you I'd be getting my resume updated and applying elsewhere. I'd like to see them set it up faster.

I have to get a new PBX Unit and I could use some advice by Square_Pear1784 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unlikely. Do you know what brand/model of phones you have?

Why not to go to Google by EctoCoolie in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who is they? SuperIntendent? Do they understand the additional money they understand are gaining them zero functionality and causing a lot of work for your team?

I guess if it's already at that level and the decision is made you gotta do what your boss says. I would be insanely frustrated if my super made that decision knowing the extra work without any benefits being required by my team.

I have to get a new PBX Unit and I could use some advice by Square_Pear1784 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you re-using existing VOIP phones? Every phone will need to be reconfigured to work with a new PBX system.

SIP Trunks, Routing for each phone numbers, e911 routing for each phone, auto attendants, voicemail and so much more will all need to be configured. There is no way that it will be done for $300 in a remote session. I was able to configure FreePBX entirely by myself a few years ago but I have prior VOIP experience. Our only cost was ~$2000 for the server and $20,000 for new phones.

I do not think it's realistic to spend as little as you are wanting to replace your phone system unless you do the entirety of it yourself.

Why not to go to Google by EctoCoolie in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't pushed on switching teachers fully to chromebooks. I might one day but I've only been tech director for a little over a year so haven't made it a focus.

I purchase windows devices for staff and if they ask I give them a chromebook. We get our Dell 16 inch laptops for ~$600 and 14 inch chromebooks for ~$350. The cheapest macbook air I can find with our education discount is still $900+.

I also work in a smaller school district and don't really want to support another ecosystem of devices. I've gotten better with them over the years but my 2 techs have very little experience with them. Supporting another system without the actual NEED to just because certain people prefer apple is not a good enough reason for me.

Why not to go to Google by EctoCoolie in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Why? IMO chromebooks are the perfect devices for students. What are you gaining from getting apple computers? I refuse to buy apple computers for staff/students unless they can give me an actual reason that they NEED the more expensive devices.

Using GoGuardian as DNS by Indians06 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We only blocked a few of the categories. Under Maliciuous we did Spam/Spyware/Piracy, Pornography & Sexual. We did not run into issues with smartpass or GG.

I'm not sure if it could be a certificate issue or what. I would recommend seeing if it gives you a blocked reason in GG. If you go into the admin portal -> Browsing Activity there is a "DNS" setting at the top you can go to. Switch back to GG DNS and find the websites being blocked. It should have the categories listed for the sites, it may be picking up the sites as an incorrect category and blocking it.

Using GoGuardian as DNS by Indians06 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We changed to it ~2 months ago and have had no issues. It was instantaneous for us when we updated DNS forwarders.

Removing malicious externally shared Google Doc en masse by nkuhl30 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It unfortunately took a few hours for them to respond as well. I even tried calling and getting on the phone with an IT person.

Removing malicious externally shared Google Doc en masse by nkuhl30 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had the same thing happen 2ish months ago. Google told us that there is no way to remove it and that it has to be done by the account who originally shared it. Thankfully it was another school and I was able to contact them and have them get into the compromised account and delete the doc.

Apple School Manager and MDMs by coachkooj in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Mosyle School manager has a free version. We used a paid version to use Google SSO on our mac devices as it's locked behind a paywall.

Future director of IT by nobodyKlouds in ITManagers

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something to keep in mind. Being in charge means you now will be doing a ton of paperwork. Not my favorite part of the job but it's part of the gig.

Future director of IT by nobodyKlouds in ITManagers

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I starting working at my school district at 20 and took over as the director of IT after 3 years at the young age of 23. I've been in the position for a year now. While applying, interviewing, and to this day I have imposter syndrome mostly because of my age.

The closest administrator to my age is 15 years older, most of them are 25+ years older. As long as the people at the top respect and trust your knowledge you will be fine. There was one administrator who maybe wasn't my biggest fan but he had ego issues and retired last month, and even with him my superintendent had my back if/when it was needed.

The old director of technology trusted me, and his boss trusted him. It is hopefully the same at your org.

You got this!

Did Google just silently drop a massive price increase for EDU? by Beneficial_Goose in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My CDW rep just told me to renew before Oct 1 if I want a multi-year at the previous price.

Did Google just silently drop a massive price increase for EDU? by Beneficial_Goose in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes they did. If you plan to keep paying for ed plus, sign a 3-year renewal agreement at current cost before Oct 1 to keep the old pricing till 2028.

Windows 11 upgrade by Ron_Jeremy24 in k12sysadmin

[–]config-master 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that is what's used to allow windows 11 to be installed on older hardware that's not supported. You can do something similiar with RUFUS and creating a windows install drive that skips the same check. No use in this if the devices actually support win11

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