[ale] Charter School opportunity potential

[Geoffrey]

Daniel Howard wrote:

> So does my ideal IT support person for Charter Schools, that are
> establishing their independence from local district/county management
> and open to new approaches, even exist?  Can we be such vocal proponents
> of Linux/OpenSource, but still go in and fix immediate problems without
> constantly grumbling that they need to switch to Linux overnight?  I
> really feel what made Brandon and subsequently APS work was that we left
> the teacher's PCs and apps alone and focused just on adding more PCs to
> the classroom via K12LTSP and upgrading existing PCs to become servers.
>   And this solves all the problems recently discussed with support of
> legacy applications that teachers use, for example.

I think this is key to getting the solution implemented.  Add more 
hardware that is Linux based.  Let them see how robust a solution it is, 
along side their existing windows boxes.  Once you have them both there, 
you can easily compare and contrast to show them how they can continue 
to do what they need and want, and also have a robust solution.

I don't know about other counties, but Cobb County is pushing a lot of 
stuff to the internet, which removes a lot of the barriers.  They even 
register for their benefits on the internet now.  Email is Novell 
Groupwise, with an internet porthole solution.

> What does the group think?  My sense is that many of us might not want 
> the job if there was primarily Windows support initially and only the 
> promise of openness to Linux (although that's more than I started with, 
> at least at the district level).

I would tend to disagree with that assertion.  I would think that the 
opportunity to identify the solutions that are available when repairing 
the existing failures.  You just need someone with patience.

> Also, is this really two people, one 
> to come in as a consultant, talk to the school and architect a solution 
> including a transition phase, and another to implement and manage it?

It could be, but it could easily be a single person.  It all depends on 
the skillset.

> If such folks exist, can I get some contact info so I can recommend them 
> when the schools ask me for a lead (as I hope and suspect will happen)?

As I stated before, my experience is only with Charter schools in Cobb 
County, and I don't think they have the latitude to hire folks, such as 
a dedicated IT person.

I'm sure these folks exist, but can a single school afford them?  Maybe 
part time contractors?

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
  - Benjamin Franklin