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Designing a Future-Ready Elementary School

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS FOR CONNECTICUT SCHOOL

Project Snapshot

• Project: Elementary School

• Location: Southern Connecticut

• Client: CT Public School District

• Technology Design Services: IT, Security, and Audiovisual

• Project Type: Pre-K and K–5 Elementary School

The Challenge

Designing IT, audiovisual, and security systems for an elementary school requires a careful balance between functionality, safety, and age-appropriate usability. Systems must be robust and scalable to support evolving educational technologies while remaining simple and intuitive for young students and staff. Security solutions must protect physical and digital assets without creating an environment that feels restrictive, incorporating unobtrusive access control, surveillance, and data protection measures.

In addition, designers must account for budget constraints, long-term maintenance demands, and interoperability with the district’s existing systems to ensure reliability and minimize disruption to the learning experience over time.

OUR APPROACH IT Infrastructure

The new school was designed with a flexible IT cabling infrastructure and spare cable pathways to support both current and future technology needs. Category 6A rated copper cabling was selected as the primary cabling system due to its higher bandwidth and improved heat dissipation, supporting up to 10 Gbps Ethernet transmission and all Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standards up to 100 watts.

This approach future-proofs the deployment of higher-speed and higher-capacity wireless LAN networks, along with other bandwidth-intensive and power-demanding technologies that may be introduced five or more years after initial occupancy. The IT backbone was comprised of high-speed optical fiber cable to support integrated security, audiovisual, and future educational technologies without requiring disruptive infrastructure upgrades.

Security Systems

Student and staff safety and protection is one of the highest priorities of our design services. Integrating the new school with the district’s existing headend systems was paramount to maintaining interoperability. Kohler Ronan worked closely with the district and their in-house security integration team to ensure all district standards were met, while also recommending improvements and best practices where appropriate.

An integrated security system was designed for the school, including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, video intercoms, and mass notification/lockdown systems. Since the district’s last school construction project, security technology had advanced significantly; new IP-based mass notification systems with enhanced messaging features were presented to the district for consideration at the school.

The selected system consolidates public address speakers, clock systems, digital signage, and visual alert strobes into a single networked device that requires only one data connection. For the district, this provides an all-inone platform that simplifies system operation, cabling, and long-term maintenance. For the design team, the consolidated approach significantly reduces the number of visible devices within classrooms and common spaces, contributing to a cleaner, more cohesive architectural environment.

The district ultimately adopted this system, establishing a new benchmark for security and emergency communications across future district projects. These systems were coordinated with the school’s IT infrastructure to support secure, reliable operation and long-term scalability.

Video surveillance was provided in all common areas throughout the building and on the exterior, including playgrounds, playing fields, and parking lots. Software-based design tools were used to demonstrate surveillance coverage to the district, including coordination with planned tree plantings that could impact camera sightlines over time. All security solutions were designed to protect students, staff, and facilities while remaining unobtrusive and appropriate for an elementary school environment.

Source: Axis Communications. [Image of Axis site designer example]. https://www.axis.com/en-us

Audiovisual Design

Source: Axis Communications. [Image of Video Surveillance Camera Software Design Tool]. https://www.axis.com/en-us

Interactive touch-sensitive digital whiteboards were deployed as the primary classroom technology interface, supporting collaborative and interactive learning. Height-adjustable display mounts allow students of varying ages and heights to engage comfortably, enabling classrooms to be easily adapted for different grade levels.

The gymnatorium, music rooms, multipurpose room, and cafeteria were equipped with presentation systems aligned with district standards and operational requirements. Digital signage was provided at key locations throughout the

school for informational and messaging purposes. Audiovisual systems were coordinated with the school’s IT and security platforms, allowing instructional, informational, and emergency communications to operate seamlessly. Manufacturers were selected based on performance, reliability, and long-term customer support.

Results/Impact

This CT elementary school was designed with a flexible infrastructure and integrated, technology-enabled systems that will support the district’s educational mission for many years to come. All systems are adaptable and can be tailored to evolving instructional methods, operational needs, and security requirements, minimizing future disruptions and maximizing long-term value.

Closing

This project reflects Kohler Ronan’s experience delivering integrated technology design solutions for educational facilities. Please contact Kohler Ronan for more information about our technology design services and how we can support future renovation or new construction projects.

Author Credit

Edward A. Ruggiero, RCDD, TLT Senior Associate eruggiero@kohlerronan.com

New York, NY | Danbury, CT