iPads, Building-Wide Internet for Maple Dale School?

The School Board is taking a look at upgrading to wireless internet, and potentially iPads. Craig Terlau handles the network operations at Maple Dale and has saved the school from a few digital disasters. He says it might be time to consider a technological expansion.

“There’s an increasing request for wireless because of new mobile devices like phones or laptops," Terlau said.  “We’ve been doing case-by-case installations for certain rooms or areas, but I’ve been researching building-wide wireless internet at Maple Dale.”

Terlau has already introduced two new technologies to the district. Surveillance cameras record daily activities like a common household DVR and can be viewed by administrators online.  The also has access to the footage through a secure connection.

Wireless internet is the next big thing Terlau is suggesting.

However, the issue is always the cost. If the cost is manageable, wireless internet could be installed district-wide as early as this summer. This would be a major move toward Superintendent Mary Dean's goal of technologically advancing the district.

Related to the matter of wireless internet, Dean submitted a grant proposal to the Maple Dale-Indian Hill Educational Foundation to purchase 30 iPads.  However, to connect to the internet, iPads need a wireless network.

“I’ll need to come back to the school board with more information because the purchase would exceed $500,” said Dean. “But we’ll most likely be making a decision before school is out.”