Fayette County schools to begin technology updates

Funds from ESPLOST II taxes will be used to refresh technology systems in Fayette classrooms and other school areas. Courtesy FCBOE

Funds from ESPLOST II taxes will be used to refresh technology systems in Fayette classrooms and other school areas. Courtesy FCBOE

Schools in Fayette County will start the new year with a “digital refresh” of classroom technology.

The Board of Education voted 5-0 at its Dec. 16 meeting to allocate $1.28 million from ESPLOST II funds to update a variety of equipment “to keep our district’s tools within industry standard life expectancy.” Starting with the first phase in January, the county will begin replacing and updating systems throughout the schools. The breakdown is $980,000 for classroom technology, $150,000 for large-space updates such as audio and video equipment and wireless networks, and another $150,000 for such programs and projects as 3D printing, augmented reality, virtual reality and related labs.

Future phases will include replacing Chromebooks as well as updating technology systems in auditoriums, gyms, media centers, cafeterias and music rooms.