The School Building Technology Subcommittee Tuesday began the process of defining how technology will be included in the construction of the proposed elementary school on Ashley Street.
The subcommittee, comprised of members of the School Building Committee, initiated the process of identifying that technology infrastructure with a presentation by consultant Scott Goodrich of Edvance Technology Design, Inc. of Andover. The firm, according to its website, provides services “specializing in innovative technology projects requiring a high level of design sensitivity, technical expertise and hands-on principal involvement.”
Albert Masciadrelli said Thursday that the subcommittee is “trying to have a clean technology infrastructure” in the new 96,000-square-foot, $36 million elementary school to be constructed at the intersection of Ashley and Cross Streets.
“I think we have a good mix on the subcommittee, members who are focused both on what is good for education and what is good for the city,” Masciadrelli said.
The committee is considering a number of issues related to both hardware and software. One issue being assessed is how the system will fund, through a hard-wired system or a wireless system, or a hybrid system with elements of both.
Subcommittee member Maureen Dunphy said that some technology, such a video, requires a port for optimum performance, while other mobile technology requires wireless.
“We’re exploring all possibilities,” Dunphy said. “The direction we’re going in is toward wireless, but we need to do a lot of research before our next meeting.”
“Things will change. The things we’re looking at now in April of 2012, but we’re cognizant that there will be a whole new generation of technology when the school opens,” she said. “So we want the infrastructure foundation that goes in as the building is constructed to be flexible to take advantage of new technology as it becomes available.”
Masciadrelli said that technology infrastructure and design should also have the capability of upgrading software across the system.
“A means of universally upgrading the software in the whole building instead of going to each individual computer to install an upgrade,” he said. “That would be much more cost-effective.”
Masciadrelli said the wireless system gives teachers more flexibility in how they employ technology in their classrooms.
The subcommittee is also evaluating the benefits of purchasing technology through the state purchasing system because the economy of scale.
“It makes purchasing equipment more cost-effective,” Masciadrelli said.
