Technology upgrade coming to R-5 schools

Like many modern school districts the Nevada R-5 School District depends on the Internet not only for educational purposes, but also for everyday operations, like control of its heating and cooling systems. All of these uses require significant bandwidth. Currently the entire R-5 district uses a 20 megabit line from MOREnet, which is running at capacity, leaving no room to add any new technology. This connection costs the district $29,306 per year.

Chase Owens, R-5 IT technician, told the R-5 School Board Wednesday night that they have iPads sitting in boxes that they are unable to put to work because there is not enough bandwidth available to handle them.

That is about to change.

Tyson Beshore, assistant superintendent, told the board that just prior to the board meeting, Owens had heard from MoreNet that Nevada has the opportunity to get a three-year contract with MOREnet for a 100 Megabit Internet connection for $30,639 for the first year, which will include the cost of equipment. Each of the remaining two years will cost the district $28,740.

"This is a great deal for us," Beshore said.

He said that the district qualifies for an "e-rate," which cuts the cost of the contract by $17,000 per year.

The e-rate is a nationwide program that provides discounts of up to 90 percent on certain services and products that are essential for classrooms and libraries to receive voice, video, and data communications.

"There is a 90- to 120-day window to get connected," Owens told the board.

Beshore said that Nevada R-5 will be among the first districts in the state to have this.

"If you approve this tonight this will be the first district to be on the list to get this done," Dr. David Stephens, R-5 superintendent, said, before the board voted 7-0 to approve the contract.

This will be one of the key steps in upgrading the district's technology.

"We could get Internet cheaper, but we can't beat the other things they offer," Stephens said.

MOREnet has been providing Internet for Missouri schools ever since schools started having Internet connections, Stephens told the board.

There is no downside to this, Stephens asserted.

"It's the exact same thing we had, but 100 Megabit instead of 20," he said.

The lower cost will give the district the flexibility to provide a redundant connection to keep the district operating if the main connection is ever interrupted, said board member Steve Cubbage.

"It's a known commodity. We know what we're getting. The teachers are familiar with the tools provided," Beshore said, adding that he is hoping to have this change in place by the start of school next fall.

According to their Web site, the Missouri Research & Education Network was established in 1991 and operates as a unit within the University of Missouri and is based in Columbia.

"MOREnet serves Missouri's K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, state government, teaching hospitals and clinics and other affiliates. In addition to Internet connectivity, MOREnet provides training and technical support needed to make that connection a useful tool."

As well as Internet support and training MOREnet also provides online access to reference resources, discussion lists, videoconferencing and more.

"In 2001 MOREnet became one of the first five state education networks admitted to the Internet2 Sponsored Educational Group Participants Program. ... Internet2 is an advanced national education and research network, created to avoid the crowded pathways of the current Internet. Previously available only to member universities, Internet2's high performance network is now available to MOREnet members."

In other business the board:

* Voted to accept the board of education results and swore Mike McCaffree and Monte Smith in as board members.

* Voted unanimously to elect Nora Quitno as R-5 board president and Mike McCaffree as vice president.

* Voted unanimously to accept the Prop K.I.D.S. bond election results.

* Voted 7-0 to approve renewing the district's insurance agreement with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Kansas City with a 2 percent increase in premium to the district which will continue to pay for insurance for district employees.

* Voted unanimously to approve a one-year engagement letter with DSWA for auditing services.

* Voted 7-0 to change the R-5 Board of Education meeting dates in March 2012 and July 2012 to the third week of the month.

During a closed session the board voted to accept the resignations of Abby Ward, Truman Elementary; Amanda Meyer, Middle School band; Tom Meyer, High School band; Debra Price, High School, FACS and Anne Bennett, Heartland, effective at the end this school year.

The board also voted to approve hiring Sara Swearingen, kindergarten; Megan Fisher, K-2 PE; James Pruitt, NRTC welding instructor; Ryan Watts, boys swim coach and Sharon Gradient, High School math.