Consolidated High School District 230
Introduction
Consolidated High School District 230, or ‘D230’ as it’s locally known, is one of the largest High School Districts in the State of Illinois, serving around 9,000 users across three high schools.
Behind the scenes, just two people manage the district’s entire operational environment. Mike Caruso, Network Administrator, is part of that small Operations Team. Together, they oversee the full network infrastructure, physical security systems, communications, and Google Workspace administration.
For a district of this size, this is a significant responsibility with very little margin for delays or errors.
Challenge
Before GAT Labs, visibility into Google Workspace was limited. Audits were done every few years by an external provider, and day-to-day administration relied on manual processes.
If changes were needed in a user’s mailbox or Google Drive, the team had to:
- Request formal permission
- Log in to the user’s account
- Make changes manually
Transferring file ownership was complicated, mailbox management needed manual workarounds, and licensing tasks added further resource overhead. For a two-person team already managing critical infrastructure, these processes were adding pressure they didn’t need, and it wasn’t easy for them to see if sensitive student information was being shared where it shouldn’t be.
Use Cases
Google Drive Visibility and Control
With GAT+, the team instantly gained clear oversight across their Google domain. They can now:
- Search for individual files quickly and easily
- Transfer ownership in seconds
- Adjust sharing permissions without logging into accounts
What previously took several steps and drawn-out approvals is now handled securely in just minutes.
Mailbox Management Without Disruption
When staff emergencies arise, time matters. With GAT Unlock, the two-person team can immediately make mailbox changes without directly accessing the user account. That enables them to respond without delay in what can already be a stressful situation.
Monitoring for Student Data Exposure
“We have increased security awareness by being automatically notified when possible PII is shared incorrectly.”
Enhanced Oversight Beyond the Admin Console
“GAT Tools is what the Google Admin console should be.”
Security and Operational Impact
“It’s been a lifesaver,”
Vendor Relationship
Conclusion
For D230, GAT Suite has become an essential control layer within Google Workspace for Education. It has improved visibility, strengthened safeguarding awareness, and reduced administrative friction.
With a large student population and a small IT team, clarity and control are critical.
D230 plans to continue using GAT Suite and to expand its workflows, including further automation around licensing and administration.
For other school districts facing similar challenges and using Google Workspace for Education, Mike offers straightforward advice:
