Elizabeth A Fuller

8/05/21

Standard Activity 4.19C Technology Management

I interviewed Jason Jackson who is the head of the technology department for Cabell County. I

asked him several questions on how purchasing and managing technology is handled from the county

level and school level. I also interviewed Mona Evans who is our SYSOP here at Huntington High School.

After talking to Jason Jackson, he informed me that he is responsible for making technology

purchases but sometimes he is given a directive from the administrators at the board office to make

certain technology decisions. He also told me that sometimes grants and federal money is used to make

technology purchases that he oversees, but in turn just rolls out the technology that is given to him to

the schools. He relayed to me that managing technology for a big county like Cabell county is a dubious

process and takes a lot of time. His frustration comes from teachers and administrators who get

impatient when technology does not work properly, and stated that sometimes these issues are out of

his control.

I also talked to Mona Evans, our SYSOP, about technology issues. She informed me that most

issues that come about are student login issues. She also communicated with me that she has a lot of

work orders on her plate and that she is the only SYSOP in a school with 1,700 students and over 150

employees.

My recommendations would be to hire more SYSOPS at both the county and school level. One

SYSOP for 1,700 students is not feasible and work orders often times fall between the cracks. The

SYSOPS have too many responsibilities and they need to hire additional help. One suggestion that I may

recommend to my principal is to let a technologically proficient teacher have SYSOP authoritative rights.

This teacher would be able to help others with printer installations, networks, computer hardware

issues, inventory, and new technology rollout. With Huntington High being designated as a Title 1
School, we are receiving new Mac Books and IPad for all students and staff. This is a major undertaking

and cannot be supervised or organized by one person.