Over the past couple of years the District has been working to implement a new, integrated software package commonly referred to as the Lawson system.

The Lawson system is actually a computer software program that the District purchased to improve efficiency throughout the District, specifically in Accounting, Budgeting, Purchasing, Human Resources and Payroll. Most of these areas impact the majority of the District's employees on a daily basis.

In the past, the multiple systems in Accounting, Payroll, Human Resources, Budgeting and Purchasing either did not interact with each other, or at best were loosely connected. The new Lawson system is fully integrated so that all of these areas use a common database with all data being updated only once for the entire District.

Through the enhanced flexibility that Lawson offers we are able to support additional programs such as the Kronos timekeeping system and the SEMS sub assignment system. These programs enable the District to process, collect and store more information to make retrieval quicker and easier for everyone.

Implementing a new software program as robust as Lawson takes time, and there will be bumps along the way. At this time the basic programs are operating and some improved processes are already apparent.

There are many more enhancements that will be implemented as we go through the next few months. These should give all employees more information concerning their wages, benefits and additional options.