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Board approves district technology plan and OKs cabling contract to replace banned camera systems
Summary
RSU 40/MSAD 40 adopted a multi‑year district technology plan and approved a vendor contract to install Cat‑6 cabling to support leased camera systems after administrators said current devices are on a banned‑devices list cited by Maine cybersecurity guidance.
The RSU 40/MSAD 40 Board voted to adopt a multi‑year district technology plan and approved a vendor contract to install network cabling needed to support a planned replacement and lease of surveillance cameras across seven district schools.
A staff presenter described the technology‑plan process: a committee formed in late 2024 conducted a SWOT analysis, produced belief statements about purposeful classroom technology use, emphasized digital citizenship and screen‑time guidance, and proposed timelines for device replacement and professional development. The plan recommends aligning technology use to curriculum, monitoring equity and screen time, and improving teacher training.
Board members debated screen use for early grades before approving the plan. One board member said concern remained about providing a dedicated device to every student in grades K–2; others praised the plan’s professional‑development and digital‑citizenship components.
Separately, the board approved a proposal to install cabling to support new cameras. Business manager Karen explained that the FY‑26 budget included $50,000 per year for a four‑year camera lease but did not include the cabling this fiscal year; the district issued an RFP, received two bids, and recommended a familiar local vendor at a bid price (reported in the packet) that came in below earlier estimates. Administrators said the current camera hardware included systems listed on the federal list of banned devices referenced by recent Maine cybersecurity legislation, requiring replacement or removal to meet state cyber guidance.
Administrators said the cabling work will use Category 6 (Cat‑6) network cable and will be completed before the fiscal year end so cameras can be deployed under the FY‑26 leasing plan; they described a typical camera service life of 8–10 years and said cabling is expected to support future camera replacements. Board members approved the cabling contract and the technology plan during the meeting.
The record shows the board discussed privacy and emergency‑access provisions for the replacement camera systems. Administrators said cameras would be internalized on the district network and that emergency responders would be given controlled access when necessary. No changes to district surveillance policy were adopted in this meeting; procurement and implementation will follow board direction and existing purchasing policies.
