Running a school requires more than just excellent teachers and engaged students; support staff like paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria personnel, and especially technology experts, are essential.
Unfortunately, many students think the tech department exists only to block websites and repair Chromebooks, but their contributions go far beyond that throughout the year.
In reality, the technology department at Tyrone Area School District is responsible for maintaining over 2,300 Chromebooks/Chromeboxes and 625 desktop and laptop computers each year with an average annual budget of around $800,000.
“We are responsible for the acquisition, maintenance, and support of all computer technology in the district,” Tyrone Network Administrator Glen Drager said.“This includes all computers, servers, printers, phones, security cameras, network devices, interactive panels, etc. This also includes most of the software and subscriptions that we utilize—things like Google, Microsoft, and Sapphire.”
Drager graduated from Juniata College with a degree in computer science. Before coming to Tyrone he worked in IT for a manufacturing company and was a partner with an IT company for five years before taking a full-time job with the school district in 2003.
Drager leads a team of four other full-time employees who work 12 months a year in all three school buildings, ensuring that everyone in the district has access to technology so teachers can teach and students can learn effectively.
In addition to dealing with thousands of different devices, the tech department maintains network security for all students and teachers.
“Education has become a prime target for cyber criminals and we are constantly being probed by various threat actors. Making sure our systems are secure, patched, and that all our defenses are holding up is a constant challenge,” Drager said.
Tyrone graduates and tech department staff members Rusty Davis and Bryce Bauer are both familiar faces to many TAHS students.
Both are also Penn State graduates. Davis has a degree in information science and technology, and Bauer has a degree in cyber security.
“I help keep the school’s technology running smoothly and repair broken Chromebooks for the students and other staff members. I also help put in the school cameras, vape detectors, and security devices, along with monitoring the school beacons,” Davis said.
The tech department puts in countless hours over the summer to update and repair computers and introduce new technology for the coming school year.
“I wish the student knew that we put in extra work throughout the summer and dedicate almost 365 days a year to make sure that they can learn safely and effectively,” Bauer said.
The other two members of the department are Tim Walk and Sandra Harpster.
Looking to the future, Drager said that AI is one of the things that school districts will have to monitor and adjust to in the coming years.
“While not necessarily new, AI has become ‘smart enough’ that it has hit mainstream adoption and is being integrated into just about everything,” Drager said. “There are pros and cons to any technology, and while AI can be extremely helpful it also presents challenges to education. Trying to find the balance of effective use of AI in education is a challenge facing all staff and students.”
Bauer and Davis said they enjoy interacting with the students and the staff members. Although they have to fix all the Chromebooks that students break, the tech team still offers smiles to students in the hallways.
Students with questions or problems with Chromebooks or other technology should visit the tech office in room 100 across from the main office.
