Joitta Berkey
Registrar Support Coordinator
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Sarasota County Schools is a public school district located in Sarasota County, Florida. The district serves approximately 43,000 students in 53 schools, including elementary, middle, high, and charter schools.
As a top-rated and rapidly growing district, Sarasota County Schools found its paper-based student record system increasingly difficult to manage.
Space for cumulative files was quickly running out. The district had no choice but to store cumulative files outside of the designated protected areas, leaving files vulnerable to hurricane damage as well as taking up valuable real estate that might otherwise be used for student-based activities.
And with a large number of departments requiring access, from the health department and the discipline office to guidance counselors and teachers, reviewing files wasn’t easy. Staff members had to drive to the file’s location, which could take up to an hour each way. Alternatively, a school registrar would have to scan the documents, which was not only time-consuming but created duplicates that required shredding. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the limitations of the paper-based system, as staff were unable to access the files remotely while working from home.
Just as problematic was the challenge of transferring files from one school to another. With a highly mobile student population, the district struggled to secure cumulative files while also managing the labor needed to physically deliver them. Transfers could take 3-5 days, during which time no one had access to critical information like health records or IEPs.
The district knew it was time to go digital. They just needed the right partner.
Image API supported the Sarasota County Schools in digitizing their student records across all 53 schools in the district, from kindergarten through 12th grade, following a strategically phased process.
The Axiom Pro content management platform allows the district to capture, store, search, retrieve, and share student record files. Now staff members in different departments can view and work on files simultaneously, with role-based permissions in place to protect confidential information.
When staff members upload a document, they’re able to preview and categorize it correctly to prevent errors. And the notes feature allows staff to record when they’ve viewed a file, eliminating extra phone calls.
The team especially appreciated Image API’s high level of support, on everything from training staff to troubleshooting, throughout the transition to digital records.
By replacing their paper based system with Axiom Pro, Sarasota County Schools has made the entire student record management system more efficient.
Schools are already using previous document storage space for other purposes. Rooms previously full of file cabinets have become offices, classrooms, and in-school suspension rooms.
Having instant access to files eliminates mileage costs and driving time for district-level personnel. At the school level, teachers can find out about students’ attendance or past work history right from the classroom, which means they’re able to spend more valuable time planning.
Since files now transfer to new schools overnight, the district saves countless labor hours on every transfer, from loading the files and tracking their whereabouts to unloading and sorting.
Thanks to Axiom Pro, Sarasota County School always has access to the critical records and resources they need to help students succeed both academically and socially.
Let’s discuss your digital transformation options! Reach out for a no-obligation discussion with one of our Image API solutions experts now. We’ll help you determine whether Axiom Pro® is the best solution for your state or local government’s content management needs.
