By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Parkland board, at the Feb. 21 meeting, approved purchase of new Aruba Network switches for Cetronia, Fogelsville, Ironton, Jaindl, Kernsville, Kratzer, Parkway Manor and Schnecksville elementary schools; Springhouse and Orefield middle schools; and the high school.

Director of Technology Tom Derhammer reported the typical life span of a network switch is seven years, and the last district upgrade was in 2017.

He noted the switches at Veterans Memorial Elementary School are still quite new and not in need of replacement.

Although the list cost is $694,470, the amount will be reduced by 50 percent to $347,235 through the federal E-Rate subsidization program.

Derhammer commented on the extensive scope of the switch technology system.

“It connects all network components across the district,” Derhammer said.

The elements include wireless access points, phones, security cameras, HVAC controls, door access controls, an Airtame platform for wireless displays, time clocks, network servers, livetreaming, copiers, printers and more.

Derhammer showed The Press the administration building switch which is set up in a closet.

It bears a slight resemblance to an old-fashioned telephone switchboard with wires attached but looks far more complicated.

Numerous cables are connected to ports on the switch which is full of lights.

A blinking light indicates that data is flowing through that connection.

Derhammer said the switches range in size from 12 ports to 24 ports to 48 ports.

The board granted approval to the bid submitted by IntegraONE.

The purchase will not be made until the district is awarded the E-Rate funding sometime after April 1.

The cost will be paid through the technology budget.

Derhammer stated the lead time for the equipment is nine months.

He noted most of the installation will be done by district staff.