District IT director outlines device inventory, cybersecurity steps and evolving AI policy

The Steelton-Highspire School District’s director of information technology gave the board an overview of the department’s responsibilities and recent priorities, including device inventory, cybersecurity training, and early work on an AI policy.

The director said the district manages roughly 1,400 student Chromebooks/iPads and about 200 staff devices, plus phones, printers and copiers. He described classroom hardware such as interactive projectors and said iPads are used in K–2 while Chromebooks are used in grades 3–12. "Our department, just in a summary, we kinda work with about 1,400 student devices, like Chromebooks and iPads combined," he told the board.

Cybersecurity was a central focus: the director described recent phishing attacks that used fake calendar invites and impersonated district staff, and said the district is increasing staff training through monthly videos supplied by a consortium and by sharing threat alerts from regional partners and federal resources. He said the district is working with its consortium/Intermediary Unit and receives threat notices that help protect staff and students.

The IT director also described district efforts to develop an initial AI policy. He said the board already discussed a first‑draft policy and the district is deciding how, and to what extent, to allow AI use in classrooms and assessments.

Communications staff Jessica Cree described a biweekly district newsletter and a monthly "Tech Tuesday" newsletter for staff intended to surface classroom work and provide short, practical tech guidance for teachers. "One of the first things I asked to do was the district newsletter just to improve our communication with our families," she said.

Board members asked about long‑term effects of screen time and whether districtwide accommodations (for example, blue‑light filters) exist. The IT director said accommodations are provided for students with documented needs (IEP/504) but there is not a districtwide accommodation policy; he offered to gather research for future discussion.

The presentation closed with logistics notes: the IT team will support the district’s online state testing, and the district’s upcoming graduation will be livestreamed with support from Penn State Harrisburg facilities and staff.

Next steps: staff will compile research on screen‑time impacts if requested, continue cybersecurity trainings, and continue refining the district AI policy for later board consideration.