WESTPHALIA — Fatima’s annual technology update delivered a clear message: the district has spent the last several years rebuilding nearly every component of its digital infrastructure, and now faces the ongoing challenge of maintaining what it has built. Technology Coordinator Ryan Denning walked the board through a detailed review of upgrades, costs, and anticipated needs, covering network construction, devices, communication systems, security, and long-term planning.

Much of the district’s network and communication backbone has been replaced in the past several years, much of it tied to construction work and E-Rate funding. The district installed new switching equipment, wireless access points, battery backups, a firewall, and expanded fiber connections to the new high school building and the administration building. During that buildout, the district also installed new wiring paths and created extra connection points so future expansions won’t require tearing into ceilings again.

Three new network closets were created in the high school, the sound system in the old gym was fully replaced, and the K-12 intercom system was upgraded and expanded. A few pieces of that integration, such as coordinating bells and connecting phone functionality, are still being fine-tuned, but the system is far more flexible for schedule adjustments or special events.

Wireless performance has also improved significantly. Denning told the board that the district’s new management software can detect and fix issues automatically rather than letting them drag down devices across a room, explaining, “We may see an issue with Wi Fi at certain points,” Denning said. “Maybe the connection isn’t so great in part of a room, and the system kind of self corrects, which has been really nice.” That has already cut down on the slowdowns that routinely frustrated staff last year.

Districtwide device replacement cycles have also become a predictable part of the budget. Students receive a Chromebook in second grade and use it until seventh grade, then receive a new device in eighth grade through graduation. Staff Chromebooks rotate every four to five years, and office and elementary PCs were replaced in 2022, with high school replacements in 2023. Denning noted the district upgraded the seventh and ninth grade Chromebooks in the spring of 2025, and explained that buying extra Chromebooks before tariff increases saved the district money when the same devices later rose by roughly $80 each. iPads for Early Childhood SPED and Pre-K are being replaced now, also purchased ahead of higher pricing. Every classroom projector has been replaced with a touchscreen display.

Security systems have also been updated in stages. The surveillance camera system was replaced in 2022, the door-entry system in 2021, and the district’s Rave panic button system was implemented in 2020. A fire alarm system upgrade is scheduled for 2025, and the district is considering adding monitored service. The surveillance system was expanded into the new building and has allowed administrators to place cameras in needed locations, and older cameras in other parts of the building are being replaced as necessary.

Communication tools have evolved alongside the physical infrastructure. A staff ticketing system now manages internal tech requests. The district website was overhauled in 2022. ParentSquare handles community communication, while Infinite Campus manages student information, grades, and fees. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, the district will move to fully online registration using Infinite Campus’s Registration Prime system. Staff will begin training on the new process this week.

E-Rate funding paid for a substantial portion of the district’s network upgrades. The program runs on a five-year cycle, and Fatima was able to use all available funding. Denning told the board that “the district was reimbursed over $130,000” for network infrastructure since 2021. The district’s fiber internet connection is subsidized at 60%, saving more than $10,540 annually and more than $52,000 since 2021. E-Rate funds also paid for upgraded battery backups in all network closets, new wireless-management software, and additional wiring for future projects.

One of the more visible projects coming to completion is the installation of Rocket Alumni interactive display boards, one in each gym lobby. These digital displays will feature historical and current athletic records, academic accomplishments, digitized yearbooks, and other alumni information. Every yearbook in the district is currently being boxed and shipped for digitizing, and the district will receive an electronic archive on a separate hard drive in addition to what is stored on the displays. Denning also pointed out that he noticed a potential sponsorship opportunity after seeing how another district branded its display. Partnering with a local business could offset long-term costs.

Several replacement cycles are approaching, and Denning outlined them for the board. Chromebook replacements for second graders, eighth graders, and incoming parochial ninth graders are expected in 2026, though 80 new devices already in storage will reduce purchase needs. Desktop computers in the Business Lab are scheduled for replacement in 2026 with partial reimbursement through a DESE 50/50 grant. Office and elementary desktops are projected for 2027, the high school for 2028, and staff desktop monitors - last replaced in 2019 - by 2029. One remaining network switch must be replaced in 2026, and the district’s two servers, purchased in 2020, will likely need replacement in 2028. Denning recommended purchasing extended warranties to carry the district through the next three years.

He also encouraged the district to rebid its technology service contracts every three years and review strengths and weaknesses annually with each provider. Updating technology policy, including expectations around student use of AI, will also need to be part of future planning, along with ongoing collaboration with staff and students to identify needs early.

Board members asked Denning how many people support the district’s technology systems. His answer drew a few laughs: “Me and Me.”. Superintendent John Kitchens followed by praising Denning’s work, saying, “He’s always strategic.” Kitchens emphasized Denning’s role in managing vendors, resisting unnecessary expenses, and maintaining the district’s upgraded systems despite rising costs and supply-chain shifts.

The technology update closed with a reminder that the district’s recent improvements have greatly strengthened reliability and performance but will require steady, ongoing investment. For now, the district has a far more stable and modern foundation than it did a few years ago, and Denning said he intends to keep the district ahead of the curve as costs, needs, and technology continue to evolve.