May 2021

Transitioning from Webmail to Gmail

Thanks for your support in this year's transition from Microsoft to Google. Since the switch, we've heard feedback and confusion around which email address team members should be using -- the dpsk12.org (Webmail) or dpsk12.net (Gmail). DoTS has been exploring the technical requirements and feasibility around streamlining and officially moving from Webmail to Gmail. We're excited to announce that efforts to move forward with this transition are underway! Once we have transitioned, all dpsk12.org emails will still be accessed via Gmail, so you won't miss any communications from stakeholders. Before the switch, please ensure that your team continues to use their dpsk12.org (Webmail) as their primary email. More instructions and resources around making a smooth transition to Gmail will be shared early next school year.

Updates & FYI

New Process: Software Purchases Must Be Vetted Through DoTS

In coordination with DoTS and Strategic Sourcing, as of July 1 any purchase of software made by a Central Office business unit (defined as any department or team within DPS that is not a school-based team) using a DPS-issued P-card will be required to follow a new process supported by both departments. Click here for more details on the process and how to begin.

Nominations for Night of Honor Awards Now Open

Now is your chance to recognize those who've gone above and beyond during the 2020-21 school year! Do you know someone on Team DPS who embodies the Shared Core Values every day? How about a successful and effective team? Recognize these Team DPS members by nominating them for a Night of Honor award: Leadership Lamp Award: Our most distinguished award honoring our Shared Core Values champions (four awards total). Excellence in Team Award: High-performing teams making a difference (teams of 3-12; four awards total). Living Our DPS: Honoring the actions of individuals living one of our Shared Core Values (40 awards total).   Also, we are excited to celebrate last year's honorees in fun, surprising ways in the next few weeks! Keep an eye out for these celebrations coming soon. If you have questions, please email Our_DPSValues@dpsk12.org.

Update on Use of Local Home Folders (W: Drives)

With the transition to Google Suite, the use of local home folders (W: Drives) has dropped to just 16% due to team members’ preference for Google Drive. DoTS is now in the process of performing a full review and cleanup of the Home folder file system, as well as updating home folder usage regulations. For additional information about this project and how it may affect your teams, visit The Commons.

Implementation of New GASB 87 Reporting Standard for Asset Leases

In an effort to implement the new Governmental Accounting Standards Board 87 (GASB) reporting standard on leases, the Office of The Controller is collecting and reporting on leases where the district is named as the lessee or lessor of any tangible asset (such as buildings, land, vehicles and equipment).   Effective immediately, when entering into a lease or rental contract of a tangible asset, all DPS staff members must submit contracts to the DPS Legal Department for review prior to finalizing as provisioned by Board policy DJA-R. Please submit lease and rental contracts to Legal Department Contract Submissions. Once reviewed, Legal will provide further instructions on how to submit new lease/rental contracts to the Office of The Controller. Information collected will be reported within our District Annual Report (Annual Comprehensive Financial Report) beginning in fiscal year 2022 and thereafter. Please follow this process for any new lease and rental contracts of tangible assets moving forward.

Resources

Access Resources for Hiring Independent Contractors vs. Employees

Hiring an Independent Contractor for a special project or initiative? The IRS and Department of Labor have requirements in effect that define who classifies as an independent contractor. Strategic Sourcing and HR have partnered to provide the following tools in an effort to assist leaders in understanding the difference between hiring an employee vs. an independent contractor. An E-learning module that will be required for all new leaders will be available June 1. The E-learning module will be distributed to users with Lawson access starting in the 2021-22 school year.  The Independent Contractor Questionnaire is available via Google Forms, and is required to be approved prior to contract services starting. For more information, access the Independent Contractor page on The Commons.

Talent Acquisition

Support Diversity Recruiting Efforts

The Talent Acquisition Team is committed to providing managers with a diverse candidate pool and welcome your suggestions of other networking, community or contacts geared toward helping with this districtwide goal.  Some of our ongoing outreach efforts include: Posting on diverse job boards. Building partnerships with the Asian/Black/Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and leveraging those partnerships to push DPS jobs out to their communities. Attending conferences focused on diversity such as the NABSE Conference and the ALAS Summit. Direct sourcing of candidates of color across the nation. If you have additional ideas about diversity recruiting or questions about our current efforts, please email Mariko Shepler or Nicole Schepis.

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