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  • 1.  Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-16-2025 08:58 AM

    Dear Technology Leaders,

    I am reaching out to advocate for increased staffing in the technology department at our school. As part of this effort, I've been researching data on staffing levels across schools similar to ours. While I came across an ATLIS resource, it does not provide the specific data we need for our unique situation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate other relevant resources.

    Our school serves students from PreK through grade 12, operates as both a day and boarding school, and spans multiple campuses. These factors add complexity to our operations and, I believe, necessitate additional redundancy in certain positions to ensure smooth functioning.

    I am seeking your support by asking you to share details about the staffing structure at your school through this survey. Your input will be invaluable, and I plan to share the results with the group later this quarter.

    Thank you for considering my request. Your assistance will help in shaping a clearer picture of technology staffing needs across schools.


    #General

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    Mark Adair
    St. Anne's-Belfield School
    Charlottesville VA
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  • 2.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-17-2025 09:00 AM

    DONE! I look forward to seeing your results. Please let me know if a direct conversation would help.



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    William Stites
    Montclair Kimberley Academy
    Montclair NJ
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  • 3.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-17-2025 12:34 PM

    Echoing William - would you be open to sharing your results?



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    Liz Beck
    Laurence School (CA)
    Valley Glen CA
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  • 4.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-21-2025 09:38 AM

    Thank you, Mark, for putting together the survey.  I responded and look forward to viewing the results. 

    As part of that conversation, I'm curious about the type of support you have specifically for engineering, design and innovation programs.  We are fortunate to have a number of 3D printers on campus as well as a laser cutter and wood shop.  If you have similar programs, do you mind sharing how the equipment is supported and maintained?  Does the teacher have a lighter class load to compensate for time tending to equipment issues and just the time it takes to oversee students using the equipment?  Is this resource part of the technology staff or strictly academic, a combination, or do you have external support for this equipment?



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    Susan Fuhs, Director of IT Services
    Norfolk Academy
    Norfolk VA
    swfuhs@norfolkacademy.org
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  • 5.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-22-2025 09:58 AM

    Mark,

    Can't wait to see the result of this survey!  One of tech's greatest obstacles is a lack of standardization of positions and skills needed for positions that support schools. Would love to get a group together to discuss results at ATLIS AC!



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    Hiram Cuevas
    St. Christopher's School
    Richmond, VA
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  • 6.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-22-2025 01:33 PM

    Hey everyone!

    Last year, ATLIS launched the interactive dashboard. It includes tech department size:



    FYI, I've passing along the request for number of campuses and day/boarding as suggestions to incorporate into future benchmarking.

    If any of you have additional suggestions on data points that would be useful to you, please add them to the discussion below. It is very helpful to ATLIS as we strive to serve you. Thanks for your feedback!

    ATLIS is hosting a virtual meet-up on the topic of hiring and staffing for the tech department. Mark is going to lead the conversation on Tuesday, February 25 from 2-3 p.m. EDT. I hope to see all of you there! Please register for the event here.

    Thanks, Mark, for kicking off this useful discussion!



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    Dr. Ashley Cross
    Senior Director of Education and Content
    www.theatlis.org
    888-502-8547
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  • 7.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-23-2025 10:04 AM

    ps...
    I added the dashboard link, and then later that afternoon it started giving an error message. We're currently adding in the most recent data to update it. It should be back up soon!



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    Dr. Ashley Cross
    Senior Director of Education and Content
    www.theatlis.org
    888-502-8547
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  • 8.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-23-2025 10:38 AM
    Ashley,

    Thank you for the reminder about this valuable resource-it's always great to revisit tools and ideas that can help improve our work.

    I've been reflecting on some of the broader challenges schools face, particularly the lack of standardization in roles and responsibilities of tech professionals. While titles like department head, dean of students, CFO, or athletic director are universally recognized, there seems to be little understanding-or agreement-on just how much technology roles have evolved, especially with the significant scope creep that's occurred, dare I say, since COVID.

    Additionally, your message has me wondering if perhaps we are not the intended audience for some of this data. Are we unintentionally stuck in an echo chamber, overlooking how others may interpret or utilize this information differently? It's worth considering how a fresh perspective-or even a different audience-might add value or clarity with commentary to tell the story of how tech departments evolve along with their needs and commensurate responsibilities.

    Cheers,
    H


    HIRAM E. CUEVAS

    Director of Information Systems, Academic Tech & Charles S. Luck II '51 Chair of Academic Technology

    804.282.3185 Ext. x5627

    711 St. Christopher's Road Richmond, Virginia 23226 stchristophers.com


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  • 9.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 01-23-2025 09:06 AM

    Hello Everyone,

    Thank you to everyone who has filled out the survey.  I have 111 entries so far.  If you have not filled it out, please do so soon as I plan to shut down the survey on Monday so I can go through the results.  
    Thanks, 
    Mark


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    Mark Adair
    St. Anne's-Belfield School
    Charlottesville VA
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  • 10.  RE: Technology Department Staffing Survey: Understanding School Staffing Structures

    Posted 2 days ago

    Hi Mark,

    I was directed to your survey in lieu of doing a new one.  Any chance you would like to share that information with me?   I am currently in the exact boat with staffing as you appear to be and would love the data to support my argument.  Thank you in advance for the work you did on this research that I am sure could be invaluable to so many.

    Bobbi Jo



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    Bobbi Jo Kelly
    Epiphany School of Global Studies
    New Bern NC
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