Huntington UFSD Celebrates its IT Professionals

Huntington UFSD is celebrating its full-time employee information technology professionals this week as organizations across the country do the same for those who have been called the unsung heroes of modern business and society.

Huntington’s three network and systems technicians are overseen by Brian Landers, who coordinates operations as the district’s network and systems administrator. Mr. Landers works under Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Management Services Dr. Rubie Harris.

In addition to Mr. Landers, the district celebrating the service of network and systems technicians:

• Mike Tudisco, who has been with district since December 1999. He supports a wide range of technologies from Apple Mac labs to Cisco voice and network infrastructure and specifically supports Huntington High School.

• Noreen Heffernan who has been with the district since August 2004. She helps support critical systems for the district such as its financial software as well as special education iPad management and specifically supports both intermediate schools.

• Alex Zinzi, who came to Huntington in April 2023. “Alex started pre- pandemic as a part time Chromebook support employee,” Mr. Landers said. “We were lucky enough to hire him as a district employee last year, as he continues to grow into his new role.” He supports the four primary schools.

“It’s easy to overlook the seamless technology in every classroom, library, office and computer lab, where everything ‘just works’ day in and day out,” Mr. Landers said. “This smooth operation is no accident; it’s the result of our dedicated IT professionals working behind the scenes. They tirelessly manage, maintain, and troubleshoot the systems that keep our school district connected, ensuring that every device, network and digital resource functions properly.”

The district also relies on three outside technicians hired through a vendor who supplement the full-time staff members.

“Our tech staff is always willing to help, often going above and beyond,” Mr. Landers said. “Sometimes this includes working late into the night, or getting to the building early in the morning to ensure our technology runs smoothly and our needs are met without interruption.”