Is Technology a Part of Your Facilities Master Plan?

By Tina Burkhart - November 21, 2008

Most school districts create a facilities master plan to address construction of new schools, and modernization of old schools.  These plans often include technology wiring infrastructure – but the plan should include much more.

Technology is changing the way America works and relaxes.  The changes need to be reflected in the infrastructure designed for schools – and this is often where school districts fall behind.

The facilities plan takes time to create, and is usually updated once every 5-to-7 years.  But technology changes quickly, and the infrastructure designed 7 years ago may not meet the needs of today’s students.

What is a school district to do when the planning for building or modernizing schools takes a long time, and school districts do not have the funds to update the schools every few years?

The first step is to include the teachers in the district who are already using the newest technology available in their classrooms.

Second, discuss future needs with businesses and community members who are involved in providing technology infrastructure designs for companies that are currently pushing the technology envelope.  Often the things these forward-looking businesses are doing will become applicable in schools within three to four years.

Third, read the breaking technology news regularly.  Before long, you will be able to spot places where innovation is being applied to educational settings.

After you have a clear idea of what people's current needs are, and what your best ideas for the future are, you are ready to look at the infrastructure in your schools.  This infrastructure needs to include:

1. Wiring and hardware,
2. Space and security for equipment, and
3. Space needs for students and teachers who are working in teams, presenting their projects to groups of students and need table/desk space for laptops and textbooks.

The design should include the current needs, and also include components which can be upgraded to meet the needs of future.  The upgradeable components will probably cost more initially – but can reduce the cost in the future by reducing the need to replace hardware.

It is important you select the components from mainstream companies whose products are used in many businesses or schools.  Selecting one of these companies will give you a better chance the company will still be in business when you need the upgrades, or another company may be building the components needed.

Don't forget the basics.  While much of the technology infrastructure is changing, almost all components require electricity.  Laptops may be able to use a wireless network, but they still need to have their batteries charged.

If you do this work while creating your facilities master plan, your architects and engineers will be able to assist you in creating an infrastructure that will support, not hinder, the educational process for years to come.

Editor's Note: Tina Burkhart is the Director of District Support Services for the educational consulting firm Total School Solutions.