NESD moving ahead with technology upgrades

Normally, they can squeeze a little more life out of the equipment to get them through a few months, but Lair said that wasn’t a possibility this time around.

In the end, the board approved the transfer of the project from the next fiscal year to this year. Lair said there are no additional costs associated with the decision, and the advancement would be taken out of next year’s allotment.

The wireless networking equipment replacement will cost an estimated $265,000. It will be installed in Bjorkdale, Central Park and Wagner Schools in Nipawin, Hudson Bay, Maude Burke in Melfort, Miner Creek, Naicam, Porcupine Plain, Tisdale Elementary School, White Fox, William Mason School in Choiceland, and the Division Office.

Central Park and Porcupine Plain schools will receive a classroom sound system upgrade. The expected cost is $140,000, with final configuration and installation anticipated to cost $40,000 for the 2026-27 school year.

The board also discussed the long-term fiscal planning of the division, noting ongoing cost pressures. Items like computers and Chromebooks have gone up in price by about 30 to 40 per cent due to supply shortages. Lair said, thankfully, their IT department did some work ahead of the price increase to lock in the purchase price at a lower rate. While the department’s work to lock in a lower price has eased pressure on the 2025-26 budget, Lair notes it could be a challenge for future budgets. She hopes to see price inflation ease on technology like computers and Chromebooks.

The division is also looking to refresh its five-year plan, with the current plan ending in 2028. Lair said they will be seeking input from parents, School Community Councils, and staff groups about what the prioritization needs to look like going forward, to ensure they are in the right spot to support students across the northeast.

–

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

NESD moving ahead with technology upgrades

What's Trending