TASBO Report Feb 2015 | Page 56

Se ssi on s Sessions Thursday Learning Session D Update on Changes in the Division of Financial Compliance at TEA Room: Presenter(s): 352E David Marx | TEA Paul Moreno | TEA Patrick Baker | TEA This session will inform participants of changes within the Division of Financial Compliance. Changes include the depository contract process, AFR submissions, and updated information on conflicts of interest disclosures for board members and executive management. End Time: 10:00 am What Does Our District Need to Know About Chapter 41? Room: Presenter(s): 370A Kim Wall | TEA The session highlights key elements for districts subject to the provisions of Chapter 41, including how TEA identifies districts as Chapter 41, recent changes to the program, how to access and use the program manual, election requirements and procedures, how to submit the required information through the Foundation School Program subsystem, and the future of the program. End Time: 10:00 am Distribution & Inventory Maximizing Your Return on Asset Recovery Room: Presenter(s): 352B James Banks | Cycle2 Technology Many schools see technology equipment and other electronics assets as items to be disposed of with little to no value. Often schools will relinquish these assets to companies that offer to pick them up free of charge and take them away as a “service” to the school. However, these assets are more valuable than many realize, and can provide a wonderful and often significant return on the original investment to the school entity. We will teach you the best way to maximize your value! End Time: 10:00 am Information Technology Increase the Effectiveness of Your IT Strategy through Benchmarking Room: Presenter(s): 342D Rick Imig | Benchmark 4 Excellence, LLC Venu Rao | Spring Branch ISD This session will introduce participants to the concept of applying benchmarking to their information technology programs in the K-12 Public School arena. This program has been developed via collaboration by Benchmark4Excellence and the Texas CTO Council. End Time: 10:00 am Instructional Materials IMA and the Digital World Room: Presenter(s): 352C Jillian Cook | Clear Creek ISD Gay Lynn Pruitt, CTSBS | Spring ISD This is an open forum session to discuss the changes districts have experienced as instructional materials migrate towards digital content. We will discuss the new steps that districts must take to not only track the digital content, but also to effectively set up user accounts within each publisher’s website. In order for districts to get the most benefit from online digital content, careful coordination between various departments, including Technology, Student Accounting, Curriculum and Campuses is required. Instructional Materials Management has dramatically changed over the last few years; we will discuss best practices discovered so far and hopefully learn a few more. End Time: 10:00 am Internal Audit Auditing the IT Systems Room: Presenter(s): 342F Maxfield Marchlewski | Austin ISD Lori Lee | Austin ISD Auditing the essential IT systems of an organization has become a standardized requirement in the auditing industry. This presentation will provide the basics of what a typical IT audit entails, including the methodology, examples, and an introduction to systems and system architecture. The presentation also discusses the experience of Austin ISD in their IT audit and will give resources for additional information. Topics will include IT audit methodology and IT system architecture, security, and integration. End Time: 10:00 am Maintenance & Operations Construction Commentary in Today’s Market Room: Presenter(s): 342C Alan Albers, CTSBS | Huckabee Associates Roy Sprague | Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Tim Strucely | Round Rock ISD Peter McEwan | Katy ISD This session will be a panel discussion by ISD personnel who are undertaking a sizable amount of construction in today’s very busy market. Discussion topics will include: 1. The overall construction market in their local metropolitan area and the competition for labor and materials 2. Sub-contractor participation as it pertains to delivery method, size of project, etc. 3. The cost of construction and ability to forecast estimates 4. The preferred building construction type and corresponding material shortages. Representatives from Cy-Fair, Irving, and Round Rock ISD will share their thoughts and perspectives to help participants determine a best course of action for their projects. 9:00 am - 10:30 am (90-minute Super Session) 56 TASBO REPORT | FEBRUARY 2015