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Newfound to Drop #2 Student Software |
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Written by NewfoundConcerns
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The Newfound Technology Department has decided to drop the 2nd most popular Student Information System in the State and Country. The current software, used for storing student grades and other information, currently costs taxpayers $5,707 / year. The new software, yet to be determined, has a budgeted cost of $60,000.
Chancery Software, who produced the software, has been aquired by Pearson School Systems. Pearson also purchased the #3 software (PowerSchool) from Apple. It is likely that they will take over as the #1 software company for Student Information Systems.
Technology Director Kristin Paterson has stated that the current software no longer meets the district's needs and that the company will not be updating the software in the future. Here is an excerpt from a letter sent to Chancery's customers contradicting that statement:
As you know, Chancery has always placed the highest value on our customers and this acquisition will not change that. Pearson and PowerSchool share our goal of continuously providing excellent service and ongoing support to our entire customer base—we all have a deep history of service to the K-12 education market. We believe the strength of the integrated companies will enable us to provide more wide-ranging solutions to meet your current and future service needs and will give you the benefit of future product innovations from the leading education company.
Pearson’s plan is to integrate the three organizations into one SIS entity. While this will be challenging and exciting, we want to assure you that we will be conducting business as usual. There are no immediate changes planned for any of our teams, beyond the fact that they will become Pearson employees. We will continue to work with you on your implementation plans, product releases, and support issues.
Paul Kellenberger
Chancery Software
As with many parts of the new school budget, the $60,000 requested will become part of the default budget for next year. It will be interesting to see what software we will end up with after abandoning a product that seems destined to be #1.
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