Technology is very important to education in this day and age. The Perry School District acknowledged that truth at their recent School Board meeting by approving improvements to their technological infrastructure and hardware.
Technology Director Rich Nichols presented bids to the Board for the replacement of technology switches and over 400 laptops, both of which will cost the District just under $150,000. Nichols explained, the switches are part of the network infrastructure, and they’re what allows computers to access websites outside of the school. As the internet connection gets faster, the switches need to compensate to keep the network flowing smoothly. As for the computers, the District needed to replace over 280 Lenovo laptops, as well as 120 Chromebooks for students starting in second grade.
Superintendent Clark Wicks said they try to stretch the computers’ lives out as long as they can, but replacing them and the switches is critical to the District’s overall connectivity. “We still continue to use these computers for six to seven years. But then once you get to that mark, they just start to fall apart. I think our Technology Department with Rich Nichols, they do a great job of gluing and keeping things together, and utilizing all the parts. But the main thing is, you got to take care of the infrastructure, or else things aren’t going to roll. Number two, you have to continually keep up on purchasing computers, because they do run out.”
The low bid for both projects was from CDWG, who bid $148,546.05 for the switches replacement, and $149,518 for the computers. Additionally, the District could be reimbursed for up to 80% of the cost for the switches through the E-rate program. The money for the switches will come out of the Technology Department budget, while the computers will be paid for through Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) funds. To learn more about this and other Perry School Board topics, listen to Tuesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.