Laif Tabb, director of instructional technology for Hardin County Schools, told the board the department is managing major device, wiring and staffing work and described a multi‑year plan to refresh Chromebooks and upgrade wireless infrastructure.

Tabb said the department services about 1,200 security cameras and so far this year has handled roughly 4,300 devices district‑wide (computers, Chromebooks, tablets, printers and projectors). He reported two long‑time technology staff members are leaving and said the departures create a loss of institutional knowledge the department is working to replace.

On student devices, Tabb said Chromebooks were purchased with one‑time federal emergency funds during the pandemic (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, ESSER, and the FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund). Because those funds were temporary, the district now plans to replace one‑fifth of the Chromebook inventory each year with the goal of a five‑year device life.

To process repairs, the district hires senior students from the IT pathway (EC 3) as paid part‑time technicians; Tabb said the student technicians have repaired 1,044 devices so far this school year. He said interactive panels replaced projectors as part of an ESSER project and that phone systems and rewiring projects have been completed or are underway using a mix of funds, including E‑rate discounts.

Tabb detailed E‑rate and state funding: the district gets federal E‑rate discounts (an example figure he cited: an approximately $3,000,000 approval over a five‑year E‑rate cycle, with a typical discount making the district responsible for about 20 percent of eligible networking costs). He said the district receives state CETS (state connectivity funding) and Katz funds that amount to roughly $42 per student per year, funds that the district matches. Katz funds are allocated to schools by enrollment; the technology office keeps a portion to cover its share of local match and ineligible expenses.

Tabb said the next major projects are a multi‑year wireless access point upgrade and maintaining the Chromebook replacement cycle; he also said the department is applying for additional E‑rate funding to support wiring and network gear. Board members asked whether new school construction gets extra technology funding; Tabb said the state does not provide additional technology funds specifically for new buildings.

Board members and staff thanked Tabb and noted transitions in the department as a concern; Tabb asked the board to support continuity in staffing and funding for replacement cycles and wireless upgrades.