MUHSD IT: The backbone behind the screens.
Every school day begins with certain expectations. We take for granted that our laptops and computers will work and the Wi-Fi will be up and running, providing internet access with no hiccups. Teachers plan their lessons with the assumption that projectors and other classroom technology will be up and running. Nearly every part of the Merced Union High School District depends on technology running smoothly. Behind the scenes, making that happen is the Information Technology Department, often considered the backbone of the District.
MUHSD is fortunate to have an IT team filled with knowledge, experience and people who care about students, staff and making sure everything runs smoothly. “Great IT teams are often judged by how little people notice them, because seamless systems make challenges invisible,” said Sheryl Garman, MUHSD Director of InfoTech & Cybersecurity. “But the reality is that this team prevents countless disruptions each year through preparation, expertise and dedication. They are considered the backbone of the District because nearly every department and every school site depends on them to function. When systems fail, the impact is immediate and widespread. When technology works, the day-to-day operations are much smoother. This team keeps the District connected, protected, and operational.”
The MUHSD IT team is composed of Edgar Barajas (Atwater), Josuf Jasso (Merced), Yvette Munoz (Buhach Colony), Mike Murdock (DISC), Alex Castillo (El Capitan), Miguel Garcia (DISC), Manuel Garcia (Golden Valley), Ricardo Gutierrez (Livingston) and Julian Sanchez Oliveros (Yosemite/Merced Adult School/Sequoia). Although there is just one member assigned to a campus, this group works as a team. They have text chains to help solve problems because it’s likely someone in the District has faced a similar obstacle.
There is no typical day for the IT team. They must adapt and be ready for anything as they protect the District from cyber threats, phishing attempts, ransomware and data breaches. You may not be aware but these types of attacks hit the MUHSD system hundreds of times per day and require constant attention.
Meanwhile, they are also supporting thousands of student and staff devices, classroom technology and office equipment. They’re monitoring and updating internet, Wi-Fi, phones, cameras, network policies, and network systems issues so that everything is running across multiple campuses. They are out and about across campuses, troubleshooting urgent issues in real time so classrooms can continue operating. At the District level, they are planning for future technology needs while managing aging infrastructure.
If you ask the IT department, they’ll tell you their busiest times are at the beginning and end of the school year. This year it was even more hectic when the District experienced the cyber incident in August. “We always hear, it isn't if, it is when, and then to go through it, it was an opportunity to learn,” Garcia said. “You knew it was going to get fixed at the end.” While some Districts were completely knocked out by similar attacks, the MUHSD IT team kept us afloat. “I felt we were actually well prepared and had backup plans ready when that occurred,” Castillo said.
Their job requires not only technical expertise, but also patience and strong communication skills. They train teachers and staff on new software platforms, and help students navigate digital learning too. They have to work calmly under pressure, often being called into a classroom full of students to fix a problem or even a crowded theatre on campus. “Soft skills are really important too, because nobody wants to deal with somebody who's rude,” Munoz said. Castillo says the job takes a sense of humor.
“People are working in a really stressful environment, so when technology isn't working, when they need it to, they'll be really stressed out and it's really important to be able to navigate that with tact,” Munoz said. “You need to be able to be understanding. They are dealing with dozens and dozens of kids day in and day out and the last thing they need is their computer messing up on them, or the one person that they need who can help them, the IT person making them feel dumb for having this issue in the first place. That just makes it so much worse. So it's important to be considerate.”
Garman says the District is lucky to have this team as its backbone. “Merced Union High School District is incredibly fortunate to have this IT team assembled,” she said. “In today’s world, technology is no longer ‘a supportive function’ in education. It is mission critical. Teaching, learning, communication, safety, payroll, transportation, student information systems, cybersecurity, state testing, and day-to-day operations all depend on reliable technology. Having a skilled, committed, and responsive IT team in place is one of the District’s greatest operational strengths.”
Shawn Jansen is the MUSHD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.