Proposed Tech Refresh Pause/Projector Initiative FAQ's
(New Items in BLUE)
PROJECTOR INITIATIVE QUESTIONS
1. What is this initiative all about?
Pausing the 3a tech refresh initiative for one year only, and pushing available funds to create audio-visual teaching/learning resources (such as mounted projectors, sound systems, and other AV resources) in many district classrooms. The tech refresh replacement cycle would then restart in 2010-2011.
2. Is 3A going away?
No. The tech refresh replacement cycle would restart in 2010-2011.
3. What are the Pros and Cons of this initiative?
Read this file: PROs & CONs. (Back out with your Internet Explorer arrow when finished to return here)
4. What are the two most compelling arguments for this initiative?
The arguments relate directly to instruction and students:
a. Providing all schools with tools for visual learning, on an equitable basis.
b. Speeding up the installation of the WAN, so that we won't have new computers that are tied down by unacceptably slow teaching resources.
5. Will flexibility be allowed?
6. What if my school already has plenty of projectors?
Your school will have the flexibility to choose other options besides projectors. For example, if your school has enough projectors, you may choose to use the money to purchase document cameras, mount the existing projectors, or a combination of items off the optional items list. Projector Initiative Document (click your back arrow to return here)
7. How does our district compare to our neighboring districts when it comes to having ceiling mounted classroom projectors?
St. Vrain has made ceiling mounted projectors a standard in their district (115 out of 1220 classroom thus far). Jeffco has reported they too are making this a standard. Adams 12 will be installing them in all new construction but haven't yet decided to retrofit all of their existing rooms. So, in comparison, we are behind our neighbors.
8. What are the known assumptions going in so far?
9. Will buying the projectors mean that one of the computer replacement cycles be eliminated? How many cycles of computer replacement does the bond pay for?
No. The 3A refresh cycle is ongoing. If we choose to pursue the projector initiative, it does not eliminate an entire cycle, it just delays the cycle for one year.
3A DELAY QUESTIONS
1. What about the problems we are facing with our laptops, if they won't be replaced?
a. Most problems with laptops are related to wireless. If we solve wireless problems, 80% of laptop problems go away.
IT has been working with our vendor using Boulder High as our test site. Boulder High was chosen due to it's size and complexity, and a team of vendor and BVSD staff spent several weeks on site. From a teacher approval standpoint, we moved from a 0% to 90% satisfaction rating, meeting our expected target for a wireless connection and showing that the system we have in place is capable of providing a high level of service. The 'fix' is combination of laptop configuration and wireless infrastructure updates, and we are currently working to codify this process and schedule all schools for updating.
b. Another big problem is related to laptop batteries. Solution: batteries for laptops will be placed on the options list for this initiative. Schools will be able to use funds to solve this problem.
2. What about warranty and repair issues?
a. We are researching extended warranties for existing machines. We are also exploring creating a bench set of laptops to be used for loaners while machines are in repair, for quicker turn around time.
b. All computers are currently covered under Hewlett Packard 3 year warranty.
Warranties on computer equipment installed during Years 2, 3, and 4 will also expire at staggered dates, depending upon the date of purchase. If the Projector Initiative takes place, the warranties on those pieces of equipment will expire approximately one year prior to being replaced.
c. All warranty and non warranty repairs will continue to be addressed as usual.
3. Can the school allocated funds be used to buy more computers or replacement computers?
No. This is an all or nothing proposal. If some schools received computers and other schools received projectors, we cannot figure out a way to be equitable and fair to everyone; some schools would be on a four-year replacement cycle and others would be a on a five-year cycle. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to get everyone back in sync. Additionally, by splitting the purchase we dilute our buying power on both fronts.
4. Does my school have to wait until my scheduled 3A computer refresh cycle year to receive the new projector equipment?
No. All projector and AV resource additions would occur during the 2009-2010 school year.
Notable Exceptions:
a. Any schools undergoing major construction may choose to defer funding until later in the 2009-2010 school year.
b. We cannot complete all school installations in the summer. Installations will likely have to be scheduled into phases:
5. If projectors are mounted in the ceiling, then what do we do if we have asbestos in the ceiling?
Good news. Instead of mounting the projector to the ceiling, we can use a wall mount instead. There are two kinds of projector mounts. One type mounts the projector on the wall close to the screen and avoids the ceiling asbestos. These cost roughly the same as the ceiling mount. But it requires a different projector, a short-throw projector, which costs about the same or a bit more.
FUNDING QUESTIONS
1. What are the funding sources for this project? Is it permissible by law?
Funding for this project would come from three sources: 2006 Bond pilot project for Audio/Visual enhancements, 2006 Bond savings from other IT projects, and the one-time capture of 3A funds.
We have had the 2005 mill levy ballot language reviewed by our district legal counsel and she has deemed it as legal to spend the 3A dollars in this fashion.
2. Bulb replacement- where does the money come from?
This is indeed a known challenge. Here are some solutions/current thinking, but were not finished with our analysis yet:
a. We would advise schools to buy one replacement bulb from the project budget for every two projectors. (In principle, it is not good to store lots of them.) This single step, however, solves the problem for at least 3-4 years.
b. Schools are encouraged to install ceiling mounted projectors whenever possible. Mounting projectors stretches the life of the bulb AND the projector.
c. All projectors should be set in energy saving mode to extend bulb life
d. We plan to get volume bid prices on bulbs that will save schools money and bid a new projector that has lower cost bulbs in the first place.
e. Clearly, after the current budgetary crisis levels off (perhaps in 2-3 years), we must seek increased allocations for school supply budgets to accommodate future bulb replacement needs.
DIGITAL CONTENT QUESTIONS
1. What does this projector initiative have to do with the Digital Content Initiative?
With the content being digital, a computer will be required to watch all videos. Students can watch videos on a computer, or a classroom projector can be used to display the video to the whole class. Hence, it will be essential in the near future for your classroom to have projection and sound capabilities.
2. Can I get more information on the Digital Content Initiative (DCI)?
STAFF DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS
1. What kind of support can we expect to receive in the schools to learn how to use the new equipment?
The instructional team is currently in the progress of evaluating the needs of the schools to develop a plan.
2. Will the district provide training on effective classroom use of the equipment?
Yes. Genna Jaramillo and Jennifer Hanson are available upon request with classroom-use ideas to support instruction.