What can we learn from school district's computer mess?
First, it was a computer virus that dragged down the Janesville School District's computer system for weeks last year.
Now comes word that the district's former information technology manager is wanted on two felony counts. He is accused of breaking a state law that bans public employees from arranging contracts for their employers that benefit themselves.
Was someone asleep at the switch? Is there a lesson here for all businesses and governmental units that rely on computers? This will be the topic of our editorial Wednesday.
Greg Peck
Nov 4, 2009 at 3:16 p.m.
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Although I agree more oversight is needed, I'm not sure a committee or oversight board would have done much good in this situation. I say that because, without real knowledge of IT or related technology no amount of people would have understood this any better and cost would have simply mounted. I think there are two options here considering that cost are a factor. Either the district needs to hire several people with real qualifications for this position and pay them top dollar or outsource creation and installation of district IT projects and let internal staff manage them. There are probably excellent companies with real knowledge in this area that could have set up a nearly fail proof system that anyone with basic knowledge could have managed. A project manager would have been more productive in this situation.
Nov 4, 2009 at 10:19 a.m.
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janesvillean - Excellent point!
Nov 3, 2009 at 8:36 p.m.
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How was this guy ever hired? Did the school board have to approve his hiring? Who approves the $18,000 a month without a ton of research and checking with other sources. Did Doug Bunton have to get approval from others or the board to spend this kind of money? Teachers have to go through plenty of checks and balances just to buy any supplies using district monies.
Nov 3, 2009 at 8:24 p.m.
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That's exactly right williamsimmons. I've got the feeling that IT isn't the only area that is lax in oversight.
But it probably won't come to light until it's too late...again.
Nov 3, 2009 at 5:18 p.m.
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I wonder how many more things are just accepted at face value without audit or oversight! This can't be the only issue. Someone needs to dig a little deeper.
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:23 p.m.
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Either one person had too much over sight on projects,or if checks and balances were in place,person(s) were not doing their jobs.
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.
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Well, that's some inspirational problem-solving.
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I don't see what computers have to do with it, except that the acolytes of IT know more about them than the people they work for and the bosses can be intimidated to the point where having a simplified recommendation put in front of them by a trusted worker seems like a gift. But there needs to be oversight of these things -- certainly purchases of this magnitude -- by people who know something about it. The school board could create an ad hoc technology oversight committee, for instance, with appointees including technology professionals and seasoned business managers as well as educators. It wouldn't need to do much most of the time, but its presence alone would have prevented a snow job like this. The simple question "Who is Avontur, and why should they get our business?" was never asked and answered.
Nov 3, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.
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The problem with government units is government units.
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