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Board approves phased technology refresh; district cites E‑rate funding and Chromebook replacement plan
Summary
The board approved a multi‑year technology refresh covering network infrastructure (edge switches, fiber, WAN) and instructional devices (Chromebooks). Staff said prior E‑rate cycles funded roughly $1.2 million and recommended phased Chromebook replacements, with a recent purchase of about 2,200 devices already deployed.
District technology leaders presented a multi‑year technology refresh and the board approved the proposal as part of item 6.13.
Executive technology staff described two parallel tracks: infrastructure upgrades (edge switches, fiber cabling, IDF cabinets, and the district wide area network with Frontier) and instructional device refreshes (Chromebooks and desktop computers). The presentation noted that equipment ages simultaneously after large one‑time purchases, so a cyclical refresh avoids large lump‑sum costs.
Staff said the district’s last E‑rate five‑year cycle funded roughly $1.2 million in infrastructure support and that a similar funding level is expected for the 2025–26 cycle; E‑rate rules allow funds to be spent across projects over five years. Technology staff recommended continued phased purchases and prioritizing the high school in a future cycle. The presentation included a recent purchase of about 2,200 Chromebooks deployed to elementary classrooms and a proposal to replace middle‑school devices (grades 6–8) so older Chromebooks can support high‑school repair work for several years.
Board members asked about PA/bell systems and replacement timelines for end‑of‑sale equipment; technology staff said some devices are out of vendor support and the refresh will remove those single points of failure. The board approved the motion (recorded as 5-0) to proceed with the refresh and related purchases as presented.
