District tech chief says emergency funds will buy hundreds of Chromebooks and classroom touchscreens
October 29, 2021 | Blackstone-Millville, School Boards, Massachusetts
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The district presented a multi‑year technology update on Oct. 28, reporting substantial progress on device replacement, server redundancy and classroom upgrades funded in part by federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and e‑rate grants.
Dan Saltzman, the district's lead technology consultant, said the ECF award enabled purchases of hundreds of Chromebooks (he cited an initial approval for about 816 student Chromebooks and a pending supplemental order) and nearly 200 staff devices, plus hotspots and other equipment. Saltzman described progress phasing out Windows machines for general staff and teachers in favor of Chromebooks and said legacy server hardware has been replaced with redundant systems to reduce outage risk.
Classroom projectors are being replaced with large touchscreen panels; Saltzman said 115 units were en route and rollout will continue through winter 2022 into 2023 with training and a 'train‑the‑trainer' approach for staff. He also described onboarding improvements using Google forms and DocuSign to streamline new staff and family paperwork.
No vote was required; the presentation highlighted grant‑supported purchases and planned procurement timelines.
Dan Saltzman, the district's lead technology consultant, said the ECF award enabled purchases of hundreds of Chromebooks (he cited an initial approval for about 816 student Chromebooks and a pending supplemental order) and nearly 200 staff devices, plus hotspots and other equipment. Saltzman described progress phasing out Windows machines for general staff and teachers in favor of Chromebooks and said legacy server hardware has been replaced with redundant systems to reduce outage risk.
Classroom projectors are being replaced with large touchscreen panels; Saltzman said 115 units were en route and rollout will continue through winter 2022 into 2023 with training and a 'train‑the‑trainer' approach for staff. He also described onboarding improvements using Google forms and DocuSign to streamline new staff and family paperwork.
No vote was required; the presentation highlighted grant‑supported purchases and planned procurement timelines.
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