We’re excited to announce that GDRSD is taking a significant step forward in enhancing and replacing classroom technology with a capital expenditure in FY2026! As part of our ongoing lifecycle replacement efforts for educational tools that impact teachers and students, we’re transitioning from traditional projectors to TouchView interactive teaching panels in our middle and high schools and Boutwell Early Childhood Center. This shift aligns with industry standards and promises to revolutionize how we teach and learn for years.
Why the Change?
Projectors are gradually being phased out in favor of interactive panels offering greater functionality, reliability, and longevity. Over the past five years, school districts across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have transitioned from aging projectors to panels, leaving only a tiny percentage of schools still relying on projectors. This transition is part of GDRSD’s lifecycle replacement cycle, similar to our upgrades of wireless access points, teacher laptops, student Chromebooks, desktops, phones, servers, and switches.
A Smart Investment for the Future
The TouchView panels provide various benefits beyond the traditional features of whiteboards and projectors. These interactive tools allow for real-time collaboration, dynamic lessons, and student engagement like never before. TouchView interactive teaching panels are installed at Florence Roche Elementary and Swallow Union Elementary. This project for middle and high schools will continue into the upcoming fiscal year, building on the funds allocated in the FY2024 and FY2025 capital projects, with plans for expansion across the entire district.
Funding and Budgeting Transparency
We know funding is always a concern, and we want to be transparent about the process. The funds for this FY2026 replacement, including the teaching panels, teacher laptops, desktops, printers, and servers, were included in the October budget recommendations. After consulting with the business office and building administrators, capital expenses for the replacement cycle of teacher and classroom equipment are not reducing staffing positions. We will keep the community informed if there are any changes to this.
What’s Next?
The Department of Technology & Digital Learning team is already working on the logistics of installation and training, and we’re confident that teachers will be thrilled with the new capabilities. We also understand that adjusting to new technology takes time, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Since late February, we have had four interactive teaching panels for teachers to try for the remainder of the year as they learn the different methods available to support their unique teaching styles. Additionally, the trial interactive panels at the middle and high schools give teachers several months to explore their functionality before making a formal decision.
Middle school librarian Sarah West, who recently trialed the interactive panel, is excited about the change, sharing, "Not only does it allow for more interactive lessons and engaged students, but it also serves as a home base for all my teaching tools." Ms. West continued, "I didn't need to travel between my whiteboard and television, and although that might not seem like a big deal, it is such a time saver!"
Visit our TouchView Interactive Panels page for more information about the TouchView interactive panels and how they will impact our classrooms.