If you’re setting up Proxmox either use the Proxmox ISO or start with Debian Bookworm. The only Linux machines I have with a GUI are my desktop and my laptop, both running Debian with KDE. All my servers run Debian unless there’s a good reason not to.
I found myself in a similar situation last year. MXRoute’s lifetime plan works well for those domains that just need basic email and not a lot of storage.
That would be awesome. Give me a place to put my phone, connect me to an amp/speakers and noise cancelling mic array via Bluetooth. That’s all I need from a car stereo. AM/FM tuner is nice in an emergency or no data area.
Look at your school’s policy manual. There’s likely a policy regarding what they can and cannot do with images of students. Every school I’ve worked for has some kind of policy around this. In all of them I’ve read you can opt out of photos being published, but there’s usually a caveat that by participating in any school sanctioned event, participation is considered consent to be shown in photos and video of the event.