Other lasting investments include network upgrades. Schools should consider making the switch to a newer wireless standard, such as Wi-Fi 6, and use the ESSER dollars to upgrade components of their infrastructure. Network assets often have a lifespan of at least five to six years. The money could also be used for cabling, which would need to be updated for newer Wi-Fi to operate effectively.
DIVE DEEPER: How do you know when it’s time to upgrade your schools’ cabling?
Fund Districtwide Projects Bearing Larger Upfront Costs
Consider investing ESSER II and ESSER III funding into large projects that will benefit the district for years without high maintenance costs.
Many schools chose to set up private LTE networks to get students connected during the pandemic. Standing up a tower to support this network is a large upfront cost, but maintaining the tower and network won’t require an ongoing investment at the same price. Schools should use ESSER dollars for these types of projects that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to initiate.
In the same vein, design and installation services are an effective way to spend ESSER funds. Schools considering new networks to accommodate a larger number of devices or those that are looking to modernize their security setup to keep students safe should approach these overhauls with a plan. CDW’s team of experts can help districts design a plan, and they offer installation and configuration services to ensure schools have a strong foundation for their upgrades. These one-time costs for services can be funded with ESSER, without the fear of budgeting for them again in a couple of years.
Professional development is another upfront cost that districts should consider funding with ESSER dollars. With an influx of new technologies and teaching practices, investing in the district’s personnel will ensure that schools are getting the most out of their tech purchases.
This article is part of the “ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology” series. Please join the discussion on Twitter by using the #ConnectIT hashtag.