Clarke Community School District improves technology infrastructure

In order for Clarke Community School District to bring in so many new individual iPads, the district is having to majorly improve its technological infrastructure.

The district is spending about $200,000 to improve the infrastructure so it’s a “better, faster and stronger” system, said Superintendent Ned Cox. The improvements can be paid with through SILO and/or PEPL funds.

The district will be leasing iPads for students in fourth through 12th grades. iPads will also be leased for preschool through third grade rooms. This process is being done over an 18-month period.

The new infrastructure will not only be able to support the iPads, but also the other devices students have, including iPhones and laptops.

Improving the infrastructure included upgrading fiber optic lines and switches in the data closets and adding wireless access points. The switches are the “brains” that tell each computer how to get to the web, said Cox.

The district added about 30 more access points to the high school. Access points are devices that allow wireless devices to connect to a network.

Before the project started, the district already had access points installed in the hallways. The connection was good, but it wasn’t intended for an intense usage like the district is now anticipating with the iPads.

“Instead of putting them in the hallways (this time), we’re putting them inside the classrooms,” said Cox. “Let’s face it the kids are going to be in the classroom with their iPads most of the time. It functioned very well before, but we want to make sure it functions very well when all the new devices come in.”

The district will also be making improvements to the infrastructure at the elementary. However, since the iPads won’t be leased for the elementary until fall 2013, the district has some time to do the improvements.

Tracking systems

In addition, the district is also working on getting a tracking system set up for the iPads so officials will be able to determine an iPad’s location if it’s lost or stolen.

“We can know, within three feet, anyplace in the world it is,” said Cox.

The district will also be able to control what websites the students can access and which ones they cannot.

“No, you cannot go to these bad sites and seek bad things,” said Cox.

Replacing the iPads

Accidents happen, too, said Cox. The district will have insurance available for parents to buy for $25-$35 to insure the iPads, in case one is broken. The iPads can be insured through a home insurance policy. They also be left safely at school, said Cox.

Superintendent’s response

The district purchased two new series of textbooks for math and language arts. The books are big, heavy and cost about $140 each, said Cox.

The book series comes with online editions. Although the district will need to buy as many textbooks as students, the students won’t need to carry heavy books around.

“Next time we buy them will be about seven to eight years from now, I have a feeling the costs will be about the same but there won’t be any hard books,” said Cox. “They’ll be entirely on wireless. But it’s hard to predict that. As long as we get cutting edge, new information and new textbooks information, that’s what we care about.”