In October 2009, Talk of the Sound asked Why Doesn’t the New Rochelle School District Enable IMAP Email?
Back then we described IMAP as a simple, free way to improve communications in the district by giving staff the option to use their personal mobile devices to send and received district emails. These devices have proliferated and many district employees have expressed interest in having the option to use their iPhones, Android phones or iPads to check district email.
Even though the the District has long ago licensed software with a built-in email capability which will allow any employee with a smart phone who wishes to send and receive email wherever and whenever they choose, the Director of IT Christine Coleman, has, so far, refused to check the settings box in Novell Groupwise that will enable this feature.
Back in October, Dr. Coleman announced to district staff that it was now possible to configure a personal mobile device to send and receive the district’s eChalk email. District employees can now configure an iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc. with an IMAP or POP account. The same settings will work with any email client on any device including a home computer.
Back in 2009, the objection to allowing employees to use their smartphones was that the IT Department did not want to provide support for the use of personal devices for district email. In an email sent last October, Coleman announced that eChalk is providing support services.
This a dramatic improvement in communications for the district. Whatever the reason for not doing this sooner, the district is doing it now so kudos to Dr. Coleman for getting this done. The district, employees and parents will all benefit from the improved communications. All we can say is “more, faster!”