Lee Pulaski, lpulaski@shawanoleader.com
The Shawano School Board unanimously endorsed a request Monday to spend $287,000 from its fund balance to upgrade the district’s server switches to better handle computer traffic.
The last major upgrade of the server switches was in 2007, according to Craig Young, the district’s technology director, although yearly maintenance is conducted. There are concerns that the new computer-based statewide testing programs could squelch the existing 1 gigabyte bandwidth, which will be increased to 10 gigabytes when the upgrade is done.
“We just can’t squeeze any more out of the (switches) we currently have,” Young said. “I’m very mindful of how much this is going to cost to upgrade.”
There are already signs that the existing bandwidth is inadequate. Young said the number of problem reports increased at the end of the 2013-14 school year.
The district has, in the last few years, allowed students at the middle and high schools to bring their own technological devices for use in the classroom, which is one contributing factor. However, Young reported that the bandwidth has been taxed during the summer months with fewer students around.
There have also been discussions about the district implementing a one-to-one technology program, where every student has a district-purchased laptop or tablet to use. Bonduel School District adopted a similar program in 2007, and Gresham School District is in the process of implementing a program for all grades.
Young said the upgrade would take about two weeks to implement but did not know when it would commence. He said the upgrade work would be scheduled mainly outside operating hours, although there could be some service interruption.
Once the switches are updated, transponders can be added when the district reaches the 10 gigabyte limit. The transponders will cost less than what the district is paying now to update the switches.
“We have options without having to drop another $287,000 on another major overhaul,” Young said. “I do feel confident with the switches we’re putting in place and the expandability that we will be set for years to come and to handle the workload we’re expecting to get.”
Young said he was grateful that the board decided to take action.
“I think this is a necessary adjustment, and the whole district is going to benefit from it,” he said.