The IT department of the Salem School District is comprised of 3 main functions to address the mission of the district:

Infrastructure:

The district currently operates an HP C-class Blade infrastructure with an EMC Storage Area Network (SAN) to provide faculty, staff and students with access to computing resources 24 x7.

This hardware drives the districts 'virtual desktop' environment, as well as a number of applications used for administrative and instructional purposes.  Whereby 'real desktop' environments constrain a user to their physical computer, a virtual desktop can be accessed from anywhere and at anytime, preserving the look and feel of a real desktop.

The majority of computers used by faculty, staff and students are 'thin client' computers, a term that describes the small size, durability and ease of maintenance.

Applications:

The district manages and supports numerous software systems needed by the district.  This includes systems used for student information,  HR and Finance, Library management and others.  The district currently uses the Modular Management System (MMS) from NH-based CRI.  This system is undergoing updating and more and more features and functions will be released.

In addition, the district is utilizing SharePoint technologies from Microsoft to build a new district website and future web applications.

Instructional Technology:

With the introduction of a highly mobile and web-based infrastructure, the district is focusing resources to tightly integrate IT deeper into day-to-day instructional practice.  From hands-on training, to online classrooms, IT has increased the level of resources committed to instructional technology.