Franklin Regional outlines technology refresh, switches and lower-cost internet option
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Summary
District staff presented a 2025–26 technology budget that includes Chromebook refreshes, multimedia lab and TV studio replacements, firewall and switches tied to E-rate reimbursement, and a new 2-gig internet circuit costing $9.95 monthly.
District technology director Mr. Schreckengost told the Franklin Regional board on March 10 that the 2025–26 technology budget groups projects under the district’s multi-year refresh cycle and includes a number of planned replacements and upgrades.
Schreckengost said Chromebook refreshes continue annually to replace devices for two grades each year as part of a roughly four-year rotation, and that the multimedia labs at the middle school and the high-school TV studio are due for replacement after more than six years of use.
He listed several planned items: replacement teacher and administrator laptops, evaluation of iPads, replacement of uninterruptible power supplies that support network switches and servers, upgrades to switches and firewalls, and completion of digital signage at the middle school. Schreckengost said the switch and firewall purchases are tied to the E-rate reimbursement process; some purchases will be 60% reimbursed and others 40% depending on eligibility.
On internet service, Schreckengost said the district’s current 1-gig route comes through multiple vendors and that the proposed change would bring a single 2-gig connection to the campus at a monthly cost of $9.95. “Our new internet connection will be double the speed at less cost,” he said.
Board members asked about Chromebook lifespan and repair logistics. Schreckengost said the district aims for a 4-year fleet life because devices are heavily used and that two technicians manage repairs; broken devices are sent to an external repair vendor and loaners are issued to students while repairs are completed.
He noted other line items: a possible phone-system replacement in the next one to two years; a pot of money for unidentified emergency projects; and a standing research-innovation fund for teacher pilots. He said a deadline for E-rate filing required immediate board consideration of switches in the packet.
No formal budget adoption vote is recorded in the excerpt; Schreckengost said he will return with exact pricing for individual projects later in the year.
