Mounds View Public Schools

Mounds View Public Schools
www.moundsviewschools.org

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About Our District
Tech team working around the clock

February 17, 2009

Now, more than ever, many of us in Mounds View Public Schools are appreciating how closely linked technology is within our schools and our schools' communities. As we enter our second week in the wake of a computer virus that has disabled our servers and computers, the majority of our schools remain without access to computer technology. In response, I'd like to offer you an update about our work to fix this problem and what you can expect in the days ahead.

* A very talented and dedicated 12-person technology team has been working around the clock to rebuild our 40 servers and to get all of our 3,500 District computers reimaged and back up and running in the most efficient and economical manner possible.

* This group has identified the computer virus as w32.virut.cf. Other variations of this virus (downadup, conflicker) have disabled other computer systems around the country, and Microsoft has posted a reward for information relating to this issue. While the District has the latest antivirus software, the virus went undetected in the earliest stages because our antivirus provider (like most providers) did not have the ability to block it.

* With continued progress by our tech team, we hope to have the majority of staff computers running by the end of this week, with student-use computers functioning again by the end of next week.

* Our communications team has been using independent and secure servers outside of Mounds View Public Schools to deliver e-mails like this one and to post messages on the web site at www.moundsviewschools.org. We're also using our Mounds View Messaging system to deliver voice mail messages to families and staff members when important updates are available. Until our schools' computers are up and running, the best way to reach a staff member is on the phone, using a directory posted at www.moundsviewschools.org/directories.asp.

* Despite the technology disturbance, school is still operating as usual thanks to our very flexible and patient teachers and staff members who are using non-electronic forms of record-keeping for grading, lunch balances, attendance and other records. All electronic files will be updated when computers are back online. In the meantime, parents can still access the parent portal for student information logged prior to February 9.

This isn't easy for anyone, so I ask you to please bear with us this week as our tech team visits each site to reimage computers and secure the District's server. Your patience and continued support is greatly appreciated. As always, I encourage you to visit www.moundsviewschools.org for the latest updates and information.