We still close the books at the end of the month, but they can run reports whenever they want. KSD wrote the procurement-card application, which records transactions electronically and places them in the Oracle database for reconciliation with users' accounts, using Oracle Designer and Oracle Developer. Although KSD's financial systems are not yet on the Web, other new Web-based applications give authorized users quick, direct access to information previously locked in the database. The district uses Oracle Application Server to give students access to its Web site as well as to provide Internet instructional content that augments classroom education. District employees can also sign up for training online, and registration data feeds directly into the district's HR system to track teacher-certification credits.
Teachers can also get student records and schedules online.
New Web applications streamline administration tasks as well. An online surplus application allows schools to exchange materials without the use of a central warehouse. And online ordering systems streamline the task of submitting lunch and snack orders to the kitchen. Essentially, we're now saving 10 minutes per teacher per day. That puts a lot of instruction into the schools through the year.