Philomath SD 17J outlines technology upgrades, security and facility repairs

Presenter told the board the district implemented a new phone system this year, noting the technology team purchased equipment and did much of the implementation internally at a cost below $30,000 versus an estimated $100,000+ purchase. Staff also said they are replacing an older door-lock/control system that relies on unsupported Windows 7 components and anticipate a key-card rollout by year’s end.

Nut graf: The district is balancing technology modernization and limited capital funding by prioritizing lower-cost, internally managed solutions, planning Chromebook rotation, experimenting with teacher-monitoring tools for student Chromebooks and scheduling security and facility repairs including a completed covered play area and planned press-box staircase replacement.

Staff described classroom pilots that let teachers monitor student Chromebooks and restrict student browsing to a small set of locations; they emphasized training to ensure teacher adoption. Presenter said device lifecycles are expected to be four to five years and that Chromebooks are collected each summer rather than staying with seniors.

On facilities, Presenter said the Clemens Primary School covered play area was completed using federal ESSER funds, the middle-school parking lot was resealed and re-striped, and the baseball press box will receive a new external staircase before the first home game to replace a ladder that failed fire-marshalled safety review. The board discussed potential cost-savings such as using local correctional work crews for exterior painting subject to eligibility and supervision rules.

No formal actions were taken; staff will continue planning prioritization and report back during the May budget process.