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Rolling Replacement Plan
An
important part of the technology plan is to initiate a rolling
replacement plan for both computers and printers, as well
as other mission critical hardware. More than half of the
current computers are obsolete. The goal is a four year replacement
plan, which would involve replacing 25% of all computers and
printers each year. This would be accompanied by an annual
redistribution of technology resources to insure that those
areas which are the most demanding of technology resources
have the equipment they require.
Wide Area / Wireless Networks
The
network between campuses is currently leased from a local
provider, and requires annual expenditures to acquire services.
It is our goal to seek a solution which will eliminate, or
drastically reduce these annual expenditures. Talks are currently
underway with a local company to investigate the construction
of a district-wide wireless network. The goal of this program
would be to provide all students access to a low cost wireless
network, both on their campuses and in their homes. For those
students unable to afford a minimal cost, access at home would
be free. Much of the funding for the project would come from
selling service to local residents who do not currently have
students in our schools.
If
we are successful in this venture, it will finally provide
a means to address the equity issues which are part of the
digital divide in Scottsdale. By providing access to a no-cost
network, and distributing recycled computers through our STRUT
program, those students who currently do not have access to
technology at home would finally be able to have the same
opportunities as those who do.
Phone Systems
The current phone systems are all functioning,
but are not on a unified platform. This situation requires
increased maintenance costs. Upgrades
to the system will address this situation, allow interface
with the Student Information System, and include Phone Notification
Systems.
Voice
IP Phone System Video
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Campus Networks
Most of our campus networks are adequate
for current bandwidth requirements, and operate at 100Mbs.
As the use of educational and training streaming video in
the classroom increases, and more curriculum resources become
web based, that network transmission rate will be inadequate.
The goal is to improve the network backbone structure to
1Gbs (10x increase). This will require switching hardware
in all network closets to be replaced over a period of several
years. The fiber backbone on most campuses is already sufficient
to handle the upgrade.
Intercom
Intercom systems at all schools are
woefully outdated. At more than half of our schools, current
systems are maintained by purchasing re-furbished salvage
parts from systems that have been removed from other districts
across the country. This is a critical piece of our communication
system, and a health and safety issue.
Mobile computing
The evidence for one-to-one computing
is not yet compelling, and prices are just now making this
feasible in SUSD. We do not necessarily want to be on the
leading edge on this idea, and are willing to let other
districts make the expensive mistakes. Our plan calls for
a gradual roll out, starting with high school sophomores.
The second year, those students would keep the laptops,
and we would purchase new laptops for the new sophomore
class. By the time the students have graduated from high
school, the laptops would be 3 years old and close to outdated,
and could be sold to the students for a minimal cost.
At
the middle and elementary level, our plan calls for mobile
carts of laptops, and the computers would be used on campus.
This plan allows us to increase the number of available
computer labs on campus, without having to use expensive
real estate, to house the students.
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