Fiber-optic cable will soon replace existing copper wiring in a move designed to enhance classroom technology capabilities in four Franklin County schools.
The Franklin County Board of Education awarded the rewiring project bid to Clearwinds at a cost $200,949. The project is contingent upon federal grant funding through the E-Rate program, which would pay for 80 percent of project costs.
The project calls for rewiring at Vina, Red Bay, Tharptown Elementary and East Franklin Schools, from the main server to classrooms at each location. Phil Campbell and Belgreen Schools already have the updated fiber-optic technology in place.
Once installation is complete, each classroom will contain a switch capable of carrying up to 12 state-of-the-art devices.
“Soon, the copper wire will not work with all the devices we're bringing into the classrooms,” Franklin County Superintendent of Education Gary Williams said. “This fiber-optic cable will run to a switch in each classroom and greatly enhance the learning opportunities for our students.”
Total cost to the system will be $40,190 for the 20 percent match on the fiber-optic cable and $88,390 for the switches. Williams said those payments will come from the general fund.
In other action, the Franklin County School Board:
--recognized the Red Bay High School Lady Tigers and Coach Donnie Roberts for winning the 2015 2A State Basketball Championship.
--approved personnel actions including leave of absence for Vina teacher LeeAnn Moore for maternity leave in May; accepted retirement letters from Janet Swinney, special education teacher at Phil Campbell, effective June 1, 2015, and Linda Everett, janitor, Belgreen High School, effective July 1, 2015; approved employment in supplement of Joslyn Garrison as junior high cheerleader sponsor at Phil Campbell School and Theresa Garrard as varsity cheerleader sponsor at Phil Campbell High School; approved Lawrence Butts, Nathan K. Jones, Karen Farris and Chris West as substitute teachers.
--approve a speech language pathologist temporary contract with Jessica Montgomery for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year at $60/hour and state mileage rate. This contract replaces Elizabeth King's contract while she is on maternity leave.
-approved a contract between Franklin County Schools and the Tennessee Valley Art Association. The contract amount of $375 per semester per student is for up to four students who are selected to participate in the association's drama, voice and production program. The board encouraged teachers to submit names of talented students who are interested in trying out for the program.
--approved an interagency agreement with Riverbend Center for Mental Health to provide mental health services to the Franklin County School system.
