Thomas E. Brenneman
Executive Director of Technology
Bio
Thomas Brenneman joined the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) as the Executive Director for Technology in February 2011.
Brenneman has been involved with technology for most of his career. Brenneman started his academia career at Stanford University, where he served as Chief Engineer at Stanford Instructional Television Network, a pioneering department in the use of distance education technologies. He continued his work in technology management at the University of Missouri‐Kansas City and with Blue Valley (Kan.) School District before joining the Kansas City Public Schools.
Brenneman is a retired United States Navy lieutenant commander who spent his career involved with the Navy Submarine Service. He has served as chairman for numerous State Technology Committees and has presented technical papers at various professional conferences.
IT Vision Statement
IT Vision Statement: Develop a deep partnership with academic departments to successfully enhance and sustain an ideal learning environment that stimulates learning, information retention and enjoyment in the classroom.
IT Mission Statement
“We believe that infusing technology into classroom instruction will help create students who are curious, technology literate, motivated and engaged in the learning process.” This department is dedicated to a sustainable academic concept of linked prosperity. Our mission consists of 3 interrelated parts:
Academic Mission: To fully support the Superintendent’s five goals for Achievement; Student Achievement, College and Career Readiness, Classroom Management and Student Behavior, Student Attendance and Dropout Prevention and Human Capital Management.
Technological Mission: To provide reliable advanced technology on a sustainable financial basis, increasing our value to our patrons and expanding opportunities for development and career growth for our employees.
Social Mission: To operate the department in a way that actively supports the central role a school district plays in society by providing technological leadership and initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of education locally, nationally and internationally.
Underlying the mission of the IT department is the determination to seek new and creative ways of addressing all three parts, while holding a deep respect for individuals inside the District and for the community of which we are a part.
Divisions
Administrative Support
The IT administrative staff assits all district personnel with the purchasing process for all purchases of technology equipment and software, as well as all requests for loan equipment such as laptops, iPads, tablets and cell phones. |
Data Center Operations
The Data Center provides staff with access to standard technological services provided by the IT department. This team manages corporate applications, maintains all network services and ensures network security and data integrity. |
Enterprise Systems
Enterprise Systems manage the information application systems that make Kansas City Public Schools work behind the scenes. This service-focused team works closely with the business and academic untis to provide new software, data driven decision tools and software support for staff, faculty, students and their families, district wide. |
The Help Desk
The Help Desk serves as a central point of contact for the I.T. department and is where all technology problems can be reported and questions answered. We strive to provide prompt, knowledgeable and courteous technical support through training classes, e-mail, over the telephone, and by fax to our customers. |
Instructional Technology
The Instructional Technology team supports our teacher's in their use of technology in the classroom. We help teachers use technology to educate our students in every subject and teach them the technology skills that will carry them to their next level of education and their careers. |
Infrastructure & Telecom Services
Infrastructure & Telecom Services provides support of the voice and data network that connects all KCPS buildings via underground fiber and leased digital T1 circuits. The group maintains building wiring, network switching gear, telephone systems, voicemail, IP Telephony, UPS’s, local and long distance circuits, e911 circuits, wireless access points, and all associated hardware along with telephone moves, adds and changes, auto attendant, cell phones, modems for alarms, and public utilities are also supported. |
