Technology Topics
Dennis Howell · Director of Technology · Laurens County Schools
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Six things to know for FY27
Google-Powered District
Workspace, Gemini AI & what it unlocks
2Cybersecurity
Scinary, Proofpoint, passwords, MFA & badges
3Legislation & Compliance
SB 351 · SB 369 · HB 113
4Devices & Infrastructure
Refreshes, pricing, OS updates, copiers
5Staff & Communication
Accounts, ParentSquare, SmartSites, TKES/LKES
6Action Items
What we need from your buildings
A Google-Powered District
We've completed the move to Google Workspace — one login, one ecosystem, and a whole new set of tools for teaching, communication, and collaboration.
AI in the district: Gemini
Because we're on Google Workspace, Gemini is available as our AI platform — inside the tools staff already use every day.
✏️For teachers
Draft lesson materials, differentiate content, summarize documents, and speed up parent communication — right inside Docs and Gmail.
📊For leadership & staff
Summarize long threads and reports, brainstorm plans, and build Sheets formulas without leaving Workspace.
🛡️Enterprise-grade privacy
District data stays in our Workspace domain — prompts aren't used to train public models.
🎓Training available
Training on anything Google — Gemini, Classroom, Drive, and more. Onsite or via Google Meet; just ask and we'll schedule your building.
Cybersecurity Updates
Layered defenses for the district — from email to door access — plus new grant funding to strengthen them further.
Programs & protections
🛡️Scinary
Cybersecurity partnership providing monitoring and incident support for the district.
📨Email campaigns & Proofpoint Digest
Ongoing phishing-awareness campaigns for staff. Watch for your Proofpoint digest — that's where quarantined mail lives.
💰Cybersecurity Pilot Program grant
We've secured grant funding through the federal Cybersecurity Pilot Program to strengthen district defenses.
🚨Centegix
New Centegix staff badges are being issued. Be sure to do a system test before school starts — check intercom, strobes, and desktop takeover.
Stronger logins & access
- New student passwords — all students. Format: 5-digit code + MMDD of birthday. Stronger and still memorable.
- MFA for middle school students. Multi-factor authentication rolls out to MS students this year.
- No more 4-digit PINs on access-controlled doors. Door PINs must be updated — short PINs are no longer allowed.
Legislation & Compliance
Three pieces of legislation shape our technology work this year: SB 351, SB 369, and HB 113.
SB 351 — protecting students online
📝New AUP & Social Media policy
Updated Acceptable Use and Social Media policies — sign-offs required from staff and students.
🔍ContentKeeper filtering
District web filtering that satisfies SB 351 requirements on and off campus.
⚠️Lightspeed Alert
Monitors for indicators of self-harm, violence, and bullying — with escalation to designated staff.
👨👩👧Parent Pro Tech lessons
Classroom digital-citizenship lessons by grade level — separate tracks for Elementary and Secondary.
⏱️Purposeful vs. Passive screen time
Purposeful screen time is active and instructional — students creating, collaborating, and practicing skills with a clear learning goal. Passive screen time is unstructured consumption. Help teachers plan device use that's purposeful, not just present. Clever has tools to help monitor screen time.
SB 369 & HB 113
🔧SB 369 — Break-Fix Data Requirement
We're now required to track and report device break-fix data. Accurate, timely tickets are how this data gets captured — another reason every issue needs a ticket.
🛒HB 113 — Technology Purchases
Technology purchasing runs through the HB 113 process. Route all tech purchases through the Technology Department so we stay compliant and devices are supportable.
Devices & Infrastructure
Refreshed hardware, updated operating systems, and clear pricing for FY27.
What's new in your buildings
💻Middle school 8th-grade refresh
8th graders get refreshed Chromebooks. MS devices are assigned to students but stay in carts overnight.
🖥️OS updates: Windows 11 & macOS 26
District computers are updated to Windows 11 and macOS 26 — current, supported, and secure.
🖨️New copiers
New copier fleet rolling out across the district. 250 color copies for first semester. Report issues through a ticket.
💲FY27 Chromebook price list
New repair and replacement prices for FY27 — share with your media specialist.
Replacement
| 20-21 (ASUS) | $50 |
| 21-22 (HP Touchscreen) | $150 |
| 22-23 (HP Touchscreen) | $175 |
| 23-24 (HP) | $240 |
| 25 or newer | $325 |
| Charger | $25 |
Parts (intentional damage only)
| Keyboard | $40 |
| Screen | $40 |
| Touchscreen | $65 |
| Trackpad | $25 |
*Price list updated 7/22/2026
Staff & Communication
Keeping people, tools, and messages connected as the year starts.
Start-of-year systems check
👤Staff setup
Accounts, updated phone extensions, badges, and teacher devices are being provisioned. Email lists are being updated — report changes early.
📣ParentSquare updates
New ParentSquare features and updates for family communication this year.
🌐SmartSites site manager
School website management through SmartSites — each site needs an active site manager.
📋TKES/LKES → GaDOE ClassLink
Evaluations are moving to GaDOE ClassLink. Available in both locations for now during transition.
🎓Training on demand
Tech training available onsite or via Google Meet — for any tool, any building. Just ask.
🎫One front door
Every request, big or small: submit a ticket. It's how work gets tracked, prioritized — and reported under SB 369.
What we need from your buildings
- Collect SB 351 sign-offs — we will attempt to utilize new features in ParentSquare to collect sign-offs on the new AUP and Social Media policy for staff and students.
- Have teachers archive old Google Classrooms and ParentSquare Custom Classes they don't plan to use this year.
- Confirm your SmartSites site manager and schedule any training you need — onsite or Google Meet.
Documents & links
Everything referenced today, in one place.
📄One-Page Topic Summary
Every FY27 topic on a single page — click to download the PDF.
💲FY27 Chromebook Price List
Replacement and repair prices — click to download the PDF.
👨👩👧Parent Pro Tech — Elementary
Classroom lessons by grade level (opens in Google Drive).
🎒Parent Pro Tech — Middle/High
Classroom lessons by grade level (opens in Google Drive).
📋TKES/LKES — GaDOE ClassLink
GaConnects staff login for evaluations.
Be sure to submit a ticket! 🎫
Every request through the ticket system gets tracked, prioritized, and resolved — and keeps us compliant with SB 369.
Dennis Howell · Director of Technology · Laurens County Schools