12/20/1994 SCHOOL - HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Minutes

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classroom. Found communications with parents is crucial and the phone system works well . They are heavily computer oriented school now. They designed an infrastructure that should take them well into the next century , with a fiber optic backbone . They wired all the classrooms with unshielded twisted pair but also with token ring cable . They use the voice mail system for a homework hotline and community events line . Rutland High school : current project. The first high school built in VT in 25 years . It is 115 , 000 sq feet, 900 students . Built adjacent to an existing technical center . He worked with the school district for 9 years. He is very proud of the project, it is one of the best in the state and technology came in under budget. Designed state of the art infrastructure- 12 fiber optic cables from them main equipment room to each of 5 satellite wiring closets , twisted pair wiring in every classroom, every teaching space and every space that could potentially become a teaching space. Built a lot of futures into it - spare 4" conduit from main equipment room to each wiring closet . Put in twice the number of wiring locations in the classrooms , inexpensive to have in place now, while walls are being built, will be available when needed. They had cooperation of local cable company . Brought cable throughout the highs school and technical center, which has interactive television. The interactive TV is used largely for distance learning . Tied that network , into cable TV network and the schools network. One primary goal was a student information system, to handle scheduling , student records , government reporting . Currently there is one PC in each classroom primarily for teacher access . They are also available for student use when teacher is not using it. They will have access to the library and state library card catalog system. They will put all work stations throughout the school on the same network - you can look up any resources the school has in their library , any the city has or search any library on the State system. BMK technical expertise: the firm has 3 primary people with 50 collective years of experience. They have access to some very specialized expertise in areas where they need it. Mr. Kemp has been a telecommunications and technology consultant for 11 years , prior to that background is manufacturing, engineering , administrative management, has been a Unex programmer and systems administrator for 15 years. Their projects range from very small to the very large . Mr. Kemp designed the largest all digital voice and data telecommunications network for the largest bank in VT. They designed a voice mail system for all Houghton Miflin branches , nationwide. It is running smoothly . Mr . Kemp said he read Mashpee ' s technology document from John Childs . It closely parallels Mr. Kemp ' s view of technology in education . A computer is a tool , like a book. That is how it should be used . Technology should be a means , an enabler, not an end . Students should know how to find information . They should use computers/technology the same way they will on the job. The key in Childs ' report was infrastructure . You must put together an infrastructure that will allow you to grow. Fiber optics are the only choice for backbone of infrastructure . put in as much wiring as you can now because you will need it and you don ' t want to tear out walls later. 7