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Blog

The Schoolhouse IT blog.

Practical notes on school technology, budgets, networks and security for Montana schools and organizations, sorted by topic with the newest posts first.

Managed ITPlanning and budgetsNetwork projectsCybersecurityCompliance and student safetyPhones and cameras

Managed IT

Help desk, co-managed support and the day-to-day running of school technology.

A person thinking while working on a tablet
September 24, 2026

Protecting Institutional Knowledge: Documentation and Continuity for Montana Tech Teams

IT documentation for Montana school districts, so key knowledge does not leave with one tech. What is at risk and a starter list of docs to create.
Two IT technicians reviewing a server rack together with a tablet
September 15, 2026

When One Tech Can’t Do It All: Co-Managed IT Support for Montana K12 Schools

Co-managed IT for Montana schools pairs your local tech or teacher-tech with senior network engineers to reduce burnout and testing-day surprises.
Two colleagues smiling while working at a laptop
August 11, 2026

Is Managed IT a Fit for Your K12 Montana District? 5 Questions to Ask

Managed IT for K12 Montana districts. Five questions on staff capacity, after-hours coverage, security and backups, board expectations, and strategy.
A yellow school bus on a rural road through open prairie
July 30, 2026

A Year Without Tech Fires: Central Montana K8 Gets Real IT Support Around a Part-Time Tech

Managed IT for a small Montana school. A central Montana K8 with a part-time tech replaced a 2008 server and consumer WiFi and gained a remote help desk.
Two people shaking hands across a desk
April 2, 2026

Should Our Montana District Hire Another IT Tech or Invest in Co-Managed Network Support?

Co-managed IT versus hiring another in-house tech for a Montana school district, with the pros and cons of each and a decision checklist.
A tablet showing a web search page
November 18, 2025

One Login, Less Chaos: Why Google SSO Belongs in Your District

Google SSO for school districts gives staff and students one secure login for most tools, cutting password chaos and making it easier to shut off access.
Students gathered around a microscope in a classroom
August 12, 2025

Your Back To School Tech Checklist: 4 Simple Steps to Start the Year Right

Back to school tech checklist for teachers and school leaders, covering unique passwords, MFA, trusted email senders, file backups, and IT team help.
A green Help key on a keyboard
July 29, 2025

Why Responsive IT Support is a Secret Weapon for Keeping Montana's Best Teachers in the Classroom

Responsive IT support for Montana schools helps keep good teachers. How slow fixes and recurring glitches wear staff down, and what quick help changes.

Planning and budgets

IT plans, audits, board conversations and funding.

A person thinking while working on a tablet
September 1, 2026

From Wish List to Roadmap: Building a 3 Year IT Plan for Your Montana District

School technology plan for Montana districts. Turn a wish list into a one-page 3 year IT roadmap tied to real funding, risk, and simple metrics.
A group meeting informally around a laptop
August 20, 2026

How to Talk About Managed IT with Your Montana School Board

Managed IT for schools, explained to a Montana school board as a predictable investment tied to risk, continuity, staffing, and clear metrics.
A piggy bank representing school technology funding
April 28, 2026

What Is MIBS Under ERate and When Should Montana School Districts Use It?

ERate MIBS, or Managed Internal Broadband Services, explained for Montana school districts, and when it fits lean IT teams and spread-out rural sites.
A group meeting informally around a laptop
February 17, 2026

Explaining ERate Projects to Your School Board in Plain English

ERate network projects explained for Montana school boards, framed around students, teachers, testing, safety, cost, timeline, and roles.
A technician checking a network rack on a laptop and phone
July 15, 2025

Why Your Montana K12 School Needs a Strategic IT Audit (Before You Waste Another Dollar)

IT audit for Montana schools that judges technology by how well it supports learning, with curriculum alignment, gap analysis, and a roadmap.
A jar of coins labeled Education on a stack of books
June 21, 2025

Grants & Programs to Boost Cybersecurity in Montana K12 Schools

Cybersecurity grants for Montana schools, including ERate, the FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program, COPS SVPP, and OPI programs, plus tips for applying.

Network projects

Network refreshes, testing-day reliability and what network work costs.

Two colleagues smiling while working at a laptop
October 6, 2026

ERate Equipment, Real Support: How to Avoid ‘Box on the Counter’ IT Support From IT Providers

ERate expects funded network gear to be installed, in use, and tracked for at least five years. See what real support looks like, through warranty and RMA.
Neatly patched blue network cables in a rack
July 16, 2026

How Much Should a Montana School Expect to Spend on a Network Refresh Outside of ERate?

School network refresh costs for Montana districts without ERate. What drives the price and how to phase upgrades over several budget years.
Students working around a table with laptops and books
July 7, 2026

What Happens If Our Network Fails During State Testing, And How Do We Prevent It?

Network failure during state testing can cost Montana schools sessions and class time. Common causes, and steps to take 6 to 8 weeks before testing.
A yellow school bus on a rural road through open prairie
April 16, 2026

How a Small Rural Montana District Can Build a Network That Handles 1:1 Devices

1:1 device networks for small rural Montana districts, with common pitfalls, design priorities, and what a 1:1-ready network looks like.
Two students working together on laptops in a classroom
March 24, 2026

The Hidden Network Gaps in K12 Montana Schools: 6 Problems You Only See on Testing Day

State testing network problems hide on normal days in Montana schools. Six gaps, from overloaded access points to single points of failure.
A jar of coins labeled Education on a stack of books
February 26, 2026

The Biggest ERate Mistakes K12 Montana Schools Make With Network Projects

ERate network project mistakes in K12 Montana schools, from rushed scopes and skipped assessments to Category 2 budget confusion, and how to avoid them.
Neatly patched blue network cables in a rack
February 5, 2026

Managed IT for Montana K12: Network Lessons Learned from ERate Projects

Managed IT helps keep Montana school networks built with ERate reliable between projects, with lessons on standards, documentation, and network drift.
A technician working on equipment in a server rack
January 27, 2026

How to Plan a “Rip and Replace” Network Upgrade for Your K12 Montana School

School network upgrade planning in Montana. Signs a full rip and replace is due, and how to phase it around school calendars and testing windows.
A technician checking a network rack on a laptop and phone
January 13, 2026

Network Assessments and WiFi Heatmaps: The Best First Step for K12 Montana Schools Before ERate

School network assessments and WiFi heatmaps reveal coverage gaps and capacity limits before a Montana upgrade, whether it is ERate or locally funded.

Cybersecurity

Data breaches, incident response and what protection is worth.

Two IT technicians reviewing a server rack together with a tablet
March 12, 2026

The Top 5 Security Myths in K12 Montana Networks (That Your Firewall Alone Cannot Fix)

School network security myths in K12 Montana, why a firewall and content filter are not enough, and what layered security looks like.
A technician working on equipment in a server rack
June 24, 2025

Clark County School District Cyberattack Breakdown and Your School's Safety

School district cyberattack lessons from the 2023 Clark County breach, covering what happened, root causes, impact, and steps to prevent it.
A piggy bank representing school technology funding
June 18, 2025

ROI of Cybersecurity: Proving the Value of Protection to Your School

School cybersecurity ROI for Montana administrators. Weigh the direct and hidden costs of an attack and make the budget case for protection.
Two people shaking hands across a desk
January 30, 2025

Navigating Data Breach Notifications: A Guide for Montana's Education Sector

Montana data breach notification rules for schools under MCA 30-14-1704, including what notices must say and when to report to the Attorney General.
A technician working on equipment in a server rack
January 21, 2025

FAQ: Common Incident Response questions

Answers to the questions schools ask during an incident.
A small team talking around a laptop in an office
January 13, 2025

Protecting Staff and Students from Identity Theft After Data Breaches

Identity theft after a school data breach. Steps for staff and students, from credit freezes and fraud alerts to ChexSystems locks and monitoring.

Compliance and student safety

Content filtering, CIPA, classroom management and student data.

A security camera mounted in a school hallway
May 7, 2026

K12 Montana IT and Safety on the Same Page

Unified school security for K12 Montana, with cameras, doors, panic alerts, phones, and PA planned as one system and a shared checklist before buying.
Two students working together on laptops in a classroom
December 16, 2025

One Portal, Safer Students: Why Your District Needs Unified Web Filtering & Classroom Management

Web filtering and classroom management for Montana districts in one dashboard, to meet CIPA and ERate expectations without juggling consoles.
A class in session
December 2, 2025

AI in the Classroom: How to Save Teacher Time Without Risking Student Data

AI tools in the classroom can save teachers prep time without exposing student data. Simple guardrails, vendor vetting, and what Montana law expects.
The front office of a K12 school
August 5, 2025

The Counselor's Ally: Using Content Filtering to Identify and Support At Risk Students

Content filtering for school counselors in Montana. How online activity alerts can flag students in distress, plus red flags, teamwork, and privacy.
A small team talking around a laptop in an office
July 1, 2025

Your School's Guide: What to Look For in a Content Filter

Content filters for Montana schools should cover CIPA, smart blocking, distress alerts, easy integration, strong privacy, and responsive local support.
Students gathered around a microscope in a classroom
June 28, 2025

Beyond Blocking: How Smart Filters Support Student Well Being

Smart content filters for schools go beyond blocking sites. They flag signs of student distress and alert counselors with context while protecting privacy.

Phones and cameras

School phone systems, 911 readiness and camera storage.

A staff member answering a desk phone in a bright office
June 25, 2026

Is Your School Phone System Really 911 Ready?

School phone system 911 rules for Montana schools. What Kari's Law and RAY BAUM's Act require, from direct 911 dialing to on-site alerts and room location.
A dome security camera on the ceiling of a school hallway
June 11, 2026

Cloud vs Local Video Storage for K12: How Montana Schools Should Decide

Security camera storage for Montana schools, comparing cloud and local video on cost, privacy, bandwidth, and recording through internet outages.
A staff member answering a desk phone in a bright office
June 2, 2026

7 Costly Mistakes Montana Schools Make With Phones, PA, and Alert Systems

School phone, PA, and alert system mistakes Montana schools make, a better approach for each, and a quick checklist to review your own campus.
The front office of a K12 school
May 21, 2026

5 Myths About School PA and Phone Systems That Put K12 Montana Safety at Risk

School PA and phone system myths that leave K12 Montana safety gaps, and how IP speakers, VoIP phones, and phased upgrades help close them.

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