Putnam Co R-I Information Network
"Technology Coordinator's Standard Operating Procedure" exerpt
September 06, 2007
The Putnam Co R-I Information Network (PCRIN) was originally set up to act as the server for the library databases in the early 1990s. As computers were added to the District, the server once used for library databases became the primary file server running NOVELL.
In later years David Dixon would work on the major system problems and aid in server maintenance. His primary job was as the EPN technician, leaving little time for Putnam County R-1's technical issues. Some time after the 2003-04 school year, David Dixon became the full-time technology coordinator for Putnam County R-1.
The domain was deployed on November 10, 2006 after two months of design and planning. Using a combination of VB and Autoit scripts in conjunction with GPOs (Group Policy Objects) and standard file rights assignment, a system for securing student/staff data and separating it from SIS and Follett was designed.
Every student from grade six and higher is assigned a user name and password as are all employees that require computer access. Before any user account is activated, the owner of that account must complete an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for the current school year. As technology and conditions change, the AUP will be updated as necessary. Click here for a current revision.
With the application of Roaming Profiles, the students and staff are able to customize the interface to their preference without forcing those settings on other users. Everything from wallpaper to mouse speed can be customized, and once configured these settings follow the user to any workstation they log into.
By exploiting the power of Group Policies in the server, AUP violations no longer require the user be banned for computer use; instead, the punishment now fits the crime. E-mail violations restrict only the e-mail; accessing inappropriate sites gets the user's ability to access the Internet blocked. By granulating the control over the accounts, this lets everyone have the opportunity to use the technology without the need for a "cookie cutter" approach to internet access.
