Projects and Status

Project Goals for the 2015 Technology Bond

Grand Blanc Community Schools' vision for curriculum, instruction, and technology focuses on practices which promote students' depth of understanding, problem solving, inquiry, and independent critical thinking.

Current Status of Projects District Wide: Instructional

Category 1A: Increase the number of student devices available in the classroom district wide (Completed)

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade have a district assigned take home Chromebook device. This device is assigned year round for summer learning opportunities. (Note: K-2 were assigned take home devices as a result of COVID 19.)
Kindergarten - Second grade have a number of iPads available that were purchased prior to going 1:1 in K-2 in 2020.
As of September 2018, Category 1, has been achieved. A replacement cycle is currently funded through 2023 with bond proceeds to ensure our student devices are running smoothly.
Devices in grades K-12 are checked out for a three-five year period of time depending on availability of funds, devices, and need of replacement.
This project funded by Series 1, 2, 3, and 4 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021)

Category 1B: Add flexible instructional areas at each level across the district. (Completed)

Create two new flexible learning labs at Each Middle School for 6th-8th grade students and staff.
Create an innovation zone at High School West to include a flexible lab, space for small groups, a computer lab, and a large online instructional area.
Create two flex labs at High School East.
Remodel classrooms at each elementary building for Technology Exploration classes.
This project funded by Series 1, 2, and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, 2020)

Category 2: Replace outdated staff computers across the district. (Completed)

Teacher desktops have been updated at the K-12 levels during 2016-17, 2017-18, and summer of 2019.
All staff across the district have also been offered/issued an iPad or Chromebook depending on what their students use.
This objective will been met by summer of 2019.
This project funded by series 1 and 2 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018)

Category 3: Update our media center equipment.  (Completed)

As library facilities are renovated, technology is being replaced with new up to date versions.
- 2017 - McGrath / Perry
- 2018 - Indian Hill / Cook / Anderson
- 2019 - Myers / Mason / Reid / Brendel
- 2021 - Middle Schools (East and West) (Delayed from 2020 due to COVID)
- 2022 - High School (East Campus) (Delayed from 2020 due to COVID)
- This project funded by series 1, 2, 3, and 4 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021)

Category 4: Update devices in our specialty computer labs across the district as needed. (Completed)

Middle School Technology Education, Business, and Multimedia Labs were replaced during Series 1.
High School Digital Arts PC Lab, CAD Lab, Center for Student Success Labs, and Computer Programming Labs were replaced during Series 1.
Career/Tech Ed course labs are funded through CTE grant dollars.
Labs will be able to be kept up to date with future bond dollars.
This project funded by series 1, 2, and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, and 2020)

Category 5: Purchase a district wide video distribution system. (Completed)

Safari Montage was purchased for the district. http://www.safarimontage.com/
Teachers are able to access Comcast television programming through their desktops. Programs can be scheduled to be recorded and played back at a later time.
Safari also live streams video including our morning newscasts at East and West Middle Schools.
This project funded by series 1 bond proceeds. (2016)

Category 6: Update printers and copiers as needed. (Completed, Ongoing)

Numerous copiers across the district have been replaced on an as needed basis.
During summer 2018, three District Print Shop copiers and East/West Middle School copiers were replaced. Middle school copiers were 12 years old at the time of replacement.
Five new High School Copy Rooms were completed over summer 2021.
Printers are being replaced on an as needed basis.
This project funded by series 1, 2, and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, 2020, 2021)

Category 7: Update our middle school and high school television production studios. (Completed)

This will help replace equipment and help fund major remodeling in our studios and labs.
Equipment updated in 2020.
Facilities to be updated in 2020-2021.
This project funded by series 1 and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2020)

Pictures below are the middle schools video production complex shortly after construction was completed.

Pictures below are the high school video production complex under construction.

Category 8: Update our classroom and building instructional equipment including projectors, sound fields, whiteboards, wiring, and copiers. (Completed)

All elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms will have been updated with new projectors, sound fields, whiteboards, adjustable height teacher computer desks and wiring as of January 2021.
This project funded by series 2 and 3 bond proceeds. (2018, and 2020)

Current Status of Projects District Wide: Infrastructure and Construction

Category 9: Update our network to a 10 Gig Core district wide to include switches and fiber. (Currently at 1 Gig) (Completed)

All switches have been replaced district wide.
All internal fiber has been replaced district wide.
This project funded by series 1 bond proceeds. (2016)

Category 10: Purchase a new server and back-up server. (Completed)

An 84 Terabyte back-up server was installed in summer 2018.
This continuously backs up everything on our main server for easy restoration in the event of a main server failure or emergency situation. Previously 82 back-up tapes were used to accomplish this same procedure.
What does this mean? It means we can be back up in running in minutes, rather than months.
A new server was installed during the summer of 2019. A new back-up server has been installed at Mason Elementary.
A new off site server will also be installed sometime during the 2019-2020 school year.
This project funded by Series 2 bond proceeds. (2018)

Category 11: Update our wireless infrastructure as needed. (Completed)

About 75% of our wireless system was replaced in 2014 through a 0% interest loan through Cisco.
The remaining 25% was replaced in 2016-2017 through Series 1 bond money and in summer of 2019 through Series 2 bond money.
Our network wireless system is handling the load without any concerns at this time.
This project funded by series 1 and 2 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018)

Category 12: Rewire data drops as needed. (Completed)

Drops are being rewired to category 6 as classrooms are being updated with new technologies and power.
All elementary classrooms have updated power and data to meet technology needs.
All buildings completed as of January 2021.
This project is funded by Series 2 and 3 bond proceeds. (2018, 2020)

Category 13: Update phone system District Wide (Completed)

A new Mitel phone system was installed in the summer of 2020.
New phones have been installed in every office and classroom around the district.
New head end equipment has been installed in every building.

Category 14: Replace and add security cameras district wide. (Completed)

Cameras have been added all over the district to allow better surveillance.
Camera software has been updated.
Cameras servers have been replaced and more storage capacity has been added.
All of our buildings have camera coverage now.
Elementary buildings have been updated to IP cameras, along with coverage being significantly expanded.
High School East and West Campus cameras have been updated to IP cameras. Coverage has been significantly expanded.
Middle School and Perry Center cameras are currently underway for additional camera coverage and new IP cameras.
This project funded by series 1, 2, and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, and 2020)

Category 15: Upgrade electric as needed to accommodate growing technology needs. (Completed)

Electrical is ongoing as needed.
Many of our buildings were built prior to 1975, so technology wasn't a consideration when they were built.
As classroom projector projects are being completed, electrical is being upgraded.
Expected to be completed in Winter 2020-21
This project funded by series 1, 2, and 3 bond proceeds. (2016, 2018, and 2020)

Category 16: Renovate and expand K-12 libraries to accommodate wireless devices and flexible learning. (Completed)

Anderson, Cook, Indian Hill, McGrath, and Perry Innovation Center libraries were renovated as of summer 2018.
Brendel, Mason, Myers, and Reid libraries were renovated summer 2019.
Middle School libraries updated/renovated summer 2021.
High School library to be completed in summer 2022.
This project is funded by Series 2 and 3 bond proceeds. (2018, 2020, 2021)