Beecher Schools Plan Updates for Aging Phone System and Accounting Software

Beecher School District 200-U Meeting | January 14, 2026

Article Summary: District 200-U administrators presented plans to overhaul the district’s outdated telephone system and transition to a new HR and accounting software platform. Both systems are facing support issues, prompting the move toward more modern, cloud-based solutions.

Beecher CUSD 200-U Key Points:

• Phone System End-of-Life: The current system is over 10 years old and no longer supported by the manufacturer.

• Proposed Solution: The Technology Director recommended an open-source system that is expandable and integrates with school intercoms.

• Software Switch: The district plans to move its HR and accounting software from SDS to Skyward due to support concerns with the current vendor.

• Timeline: Both projects are slated for implementation this coming summer.

Facing “end of support” warnings for critical operational systems, the Beecher School District 200-U Board of Education discussed major technology upgrades during their meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Technology Director Joe Duncan advised the Board that the district’s phone system has surpassed its 10-year lifespan and is no longer receiving software updates or hardware support.

“We can no longer add phones,” Duncan said. “They’ve advised either… take the chance… or go somewhere else.”

Duncan recommended switching to a system that utilizes open-source architecture. He explained that this option is more cost-effective than proprietary cloud systems and offers better integration with existing intercom and bell schedules. The new system would likely be installed in July.

Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham also recommended transitioning the district’s HR and accounting software from the current provider, SDS, to Skyward. Gaham noted that SDS was recently purchased by a third-party company, raising concerns about future customer service and product viability.

“I don’t want to be the last one jumping off of this ship,” Gaham said.

The Skyward implementation is estimated to cost approximately $69,229 for the initial setup, which can be split over two budget years. The annual recurring cost for Skyward will be roughly $117,000, which Gaham noted is comparable to the $113,000 currently paid to SDS.