Franklin County Schools Technology Department

Work Completed on Internal Connections Projects

Representatives from EduTech, Inc., finished work recently on replacing data cabling and data switches at Decherd Elementary School, Cowan Elementary, South Middle School, and Huntland Schools in the replacement of legacy wiring and switches that connect classrooms and offices to the FCBOE Computer Network.  Don Smith of EduTech stated that, "We do this kind of work in schools all over the state as well as other agencies, such as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, so we are well-acquainted with the standards and procedures used in this process."  Work is almost complete at Sewanee, as well. Broadview, North Lake, Rock Creek, and North Middle will also receive internal connections replacements by the FCBOE, with all work targeted for completion by the end of January, 2010.  "This will give us 100 percent new infrastructure in all eleven schools when this project ends," said Alan Clark, CTO.  "FCHS has new wiring from its 2004 construction, and the FCBOE Technology Department re-wired Clark Memorial School in the summer of 2008." 

BoardDocs Streamlines FCBOE Meetings

The Franklin County School Board recently went digital with documentation of their school board meetings.  Using a product called BoardDocs LT, the school board has converted all paper products required to support a typical school board meeting to a digital file, using .pdf documents.  The agenda, supporting reports and spreadsheets, and all items previously published in paper format will now be available before, during, and after each board meeting not only to board members but to the general public.  New Director of Schools Dr. Rebecca Sharber implemented the BoardDocs concept fairly soon after taking office, noting that it was time to digitize the board and reduce the paperwork load, conserve resources, and enable quicker changes to board meetings.  In addition, observers at board meetings can follow along on a screen in the board meeting as the agenda is displayed as well as documents pertinent to the discussions.  Support for BoardDocs is provided by Linda Foster, Asst. Supt., Patti Limbaugh, Board Secretary, Renee Bohannan and Diane Herring, Alternates, and Hal Hill and Libby Yates, Tech Support.  The public may also view the minutes of any meeting by going to http://www.boarddocs.com/tn/franklin/Board.nsf.

What is in the Future for Franklin County Schools' Technology?

Several Projects have received funding from Federal Stimulus Dollars to advance technology in Franklin County Schools. 

• The Special Services Department has initiated a training program for all SPED teachers on their new media lecterns to support classroom training and teaching in all the schools.  "We had Katherine Carter of Xerox Audio Visuals perform onsite training with the lecterns and SMARTBoards," said Ron Terrill, Special Services Supervisor, "and the results were very promising.  Our teachers received high marks for their enthusiasm from Katherine."  The lecterns are equipped with a wireless-capable computer, data projector, and document camera (Elmo) to assist teachers.  Switching equipment makes it easy for teachers to move from one media to another, and the entire unit is portable to accomodate moves between classrooms. An identical lectern was built so that Facilitating Teachers can practice on the equipment and validate teaching techniques before providing professional development to teachers.
• Equipment to support a Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) was purchased with Federal Title funds to enable wireless access to the FCBOE Network at the schools.  Technicians with Franklin County Schools will be working with the Aruba company to install the network.
• InfoSystems, Inc., is partnering with Franklin County Schools to provide SharePoint services to Franklin County Schools. "SharePoint is a powerful collaboration tool that will facilitate the flow of information in the system," said Alan Clark, CTO. 
• School Messenger system software has been purchased and installed to provide voice messaging capability from the Central Office and/or each individual school to a database of parents in order to keep them informed of events pertinent to them, such as school closures, student absences, emergencies affecting the schools, etc.   The service utilizes the Student Information System STAR Student to provide the database for contact information.
• Core Teacher Technology has been purchased to provide teachers at Broadview Elementary and Clark Memorial with techology teaching tools to help them in the classroom.  Each core teacher will receive a laptop and projector from the District's standard items list as a part of an ongoing project begun in 2007.  With this purchase, only two schools remain to be filled with Core Teacher Technology: Rock Creek Elementary and Franklin County High School.