Irma Lemus
While the Burbank Unified School District is satisfied that its
computer systemsare year 2000 compliant, it is still preparing for the
worst when the clock strikes midnight Jan. 1.
"I will breath a sigh of relief after the new year, but I'm confidant
the staff has taken all the necessary steps," said Gregory Bowman,
assistant superintendent for the school district.
Bowman said the district spent nearly $200,000 to shore up against any
computer problems.
From payroll to tracking student grades to checking up on kids who are
absent, the district, like much of the rest of society, relies on
computers to perform the tasks that allow it to function on a day-to-day
basis.
District officials said they began constructing their plans to deal
with potential problems from the change over to the year 2000 in
September 1998.
"If the proper measures are not taken to correct the Y2K issues, the
district might face serious consequences," Technology Services Supervisor
Rick Vonk warned in a report to the school board that was submitted in
February.
Compliance is ensuring that hardware, software and data in computers
will not fail due to the changing of the century, Vonk said. Older
computers -- many ofwhich have two-digit date codes -- will be confused
by the "00" reading when the new year begins, mistaking 2000 for the year
1900.
On Friday, Bowman said student databases containing high school
records have been upgraded and the payroll, security and telephone
systems are also Y2K compliant. In addition, he said, district officials
have either upgraded or replaced all of the schools' computer networks
and servers to ensure there won't be any surprises when Jan. 1 rolls
around.
Bowman acknowledged that some of the district's older computers might
pose a problem in the new year. However, he said that because those
computers are not used for instructional purposes he's not concerned.
Another factor in the district's favor when it comes to dealing with
possible problems is time. The district's winter vacation doesn't end
until Jan. 4, giving it several days to iron out computer malfunctions
before students return to school.
As part of it's preparations to avoid problems with the so-called
millennium bug, each school has been assigned a computer technician.
Those technicians have met with district and city officials to discuss
potential breakdowns and to come up withplans of action in the event they
occur, Bowman said.
While most people are enjoying the first day of 2000, the district's
