By Rupert Howell
South Panola schools are on the verge of major technological upgrade to the tune of $644,175 following action at the March trustee board meeting when officials approved a contract with S.H.O.T.S. Computers of Fulton.

The better news is that district funds will only be used to pay for 10 percent or approximately $64,000 of  the upgrade with E-Rate paying the remaining 90 percent.

In his letter of recommendation, District Technical Director Jay Sandlin said after months of research, planning, bid proposals and evaluation, SHOTS provided the best and lowest bid, approximately 25 percent less than the one competing bid.

E-Rate is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee, the one you see on your phone bill.  It is commonly used to offset technological needs of schools and libraries.

Superintendent Tim Wilder explained that Sandlin had recently received notice of the 10 percent match stating, “Which is a great deal and why he (Sandlin) is going ahead and purchasing the equipment.”

Sandlin later explained that additional funds had been allocated for technological infrastructure from the U.S. Congress and South Panola’s portion to pay, down from 14 or 12 percent in the past to 10 percent currently, offered an opportunity to upgrade the system district-wide.

Sandlin said that if funding is approved, there will be wireless access in every classroom from kindergarten through grade 12.

“If the federal government makes the opportunity available, we need to take every legal option to take advantage of it,” Sandlin said noting the district’s network would be rebuilt for the next seven to ten years.

Sandlin explained the process had been underway since October of last year. Although he doesn’t feel technology is currently lagging in the district, he said he feels it could be in a short time.

“You’ve heard of dog years,” Sandlin said referring to a year of human’s age being compared to seven for a dog. “A human year equals about 18 computer years,” Sandlin stated emphasizing that keeping updated infrastructure was a moving target.

The district’s technology director said if funding is approved as he hopes, work to install the electronics should begin around Christmas vacation this year.

Working in the district for 19 years, Sandlin said he has seen the number of computers grow in that time from 47 to 2,300 with 3,700 total devices on the system.

A break down of the project per school includes: Batesville Elementary-$84,069, Batesville Intermediate-$88,929, Batesville Middle-$79,348, Pope-$77,003, Batesville Junior High-$138,411 and SPHS-$176,410.