Jamestown Public Schools knows that technology is a crucial component to a child’s education in the 21st Century. Ensuring that the district’s instructional technology infrastructure is up-to-date has been a priority as part of the $68 million capital project authorized by the public in 2011.

“The use of technology in the classroom and across the district is an important part of our five-year Strategic Plan,” said JPS Superintendent Tim O. Mains. “All of the technology upgrades and improvements put into place have one goal, to benefit our students and staff.”

As part of the districtwide technology upgrade, Jamestown Public Schools has expanded and updated wireless access ports for all students and staff. This will allow for faster, more accessible wireless in the classrooms and across the district. This will be important for more than just classroom work. As NYS testing goes to an online format, students will need to be able to take tests in areas of the buildings that, before the upgrade, had unreliable wireless access.

Teachers have received new document cameras in every classroom. The next generation document cameras are designed to help teachers incorporate 21st Century classroom technology to create dynamic lessons that enhance learning, interaction, creativity and academic performance of students. Classroom data switches have also been replaced to ensure technology comes into the classroom faster.

Security cameras have been expanded and updated districtwide to give clearer images and new cameras will be added at the Strider Field parking lots and Martin Road Complex.

New sound systems at Strider Field and in the elementary school gymnasiums at Bush, Lincoln and Ring Elementary Schools were installed. Jefferson, Persell and Washington Middle Schools, along with Ring, Bush and Love Elementary Schools have new projection screens in their auditoriums. Jamestown High School will receive a new projection screen for its auditorium this school year.

Districtwide HVAC and heating/ventilation controls have been upgraded to standardize processes across all buildings and keep utility costs down. Most of these changes are not visible, but they represent an important investment.