Watertown tech director outlines device inventory, AI training and security priorities

Mr. Cruz, the district’s IT director, delivered a state-of-technology update at the board’s January meeting, saying the district operates roughly 5,000 devices and remains largely Apple‑centric in its device choices. “Our mission as the tech department is to provide secure, reliable, and innovative technology and support that empowers students to succeed in an ever changing world,” he said.

Cruz told the board that device types include iPads for primary grades, 11th‑generation iPads at the middle school with keyboards attached, and MacBook Airs for high school students and staff. He said the district maintains about 1,800 MacBooks and keeps spare units on hand for replacements. Device lifespan generally averages about five years, Cruz said, and upgradeability — not immediate function — often determines when a device is retired.

On safety and network management, Cruz described a layered protection approach that starts with state baseline controls and adds local filtering so access can be tailored by grade and instructional need. He emphasized teaching digital citizenship and research skills alongside technical training: “These are life skills, not software skills,” he said, describing an emphasis on source vetting and critical thinking.

Cruz discussed artificial intelligence as a literacy and instructional tool, not a shortcut for student work. He said district staff have access to enterprise AI tools through state‑provisioned Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot and that OpenAI (ChatGPT) access is available to staff, while direct student access on district devices is limited at present. The district has scheduled staff professional development on AI for next month to guide classroom implementation and teacher use for lesson planning.

Board members asked about staff training frequency and device replacement cycles. Cruz said professional development is typically integrated with pedagogical training, and that Apple devices have shown longer useful lifespans since Apple’s own chips (e.g., M1) increased longevity. He added that the district operates many peripheral devices and access points (roughly 5,000 devices districtwide) to support instruction and facilities such as the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex.

Cruz closed by saying the technology program aims to keep technology “invisible” — reliably supporting instruction without becoming the focus — and reiterated that future planning will emphasize student readiness and stewardship of district money and data. The board thanked Cruz and moved on to subsequent agenda items.