Background

Genesee Intermediate School District and the 21 public school districts of Genesee County partnered to construct one of the largest education fiber optic projects in the United States. Interest in a voice, video and data networking project first surfaced in 1991 when Child's Consulting Associates, Inc., of Southfield was commissioned by GISD to complete a preengineering study to access the feasibility and cost of building a network between the ISD and constituent districts. Budget constraints and other priorities for schools forced the project to be tabled.

In the fall of 1994, GISD brought back the issue of an interactive voice, video and data network to connect education entities within the county. A full-scale technology study was completed by Childs Consulting in early 1995 proposing a three-phase fiber optic network. Phase 1 would complete the 150-mile fiber optic highway between districts; construct an Electronic Distance Learning Classroom in each high school; connect each administration building; bring high-speed Internet access; and low-cost, intercom-style telephone communication using the system. Local boards of education at GISD and in 19 local districts agreed to fund the fledgling network, known as GenNET (Genesee Network for Education Telecommunications) by pledging to pay $17 per student for five years. Flint and Fenton Boards of Education voted to join the GenNET consortium in December 1996 and March 1997, respectively. (Flint will fund its portion over a seven-year pay back period.) At local district request, GISD bonded to build the $5.8 million dollar project.

Bids were solicited to construct GenNET. A unique "condominium" arrangement was approved by the GISD Board of Education on May 7, 1996. GenNET will own its 12 optical fibers which are installed as part of a 100+ fiber bundle built by City Signal and owned by Phone Michigan. Construction was delayed as right-of-way access permits were negotiated with the 26 municipalities for the GenNET and Phone Michigan fiber bundle. That process was completed in early 1997. Across the county, installation of aerial fiber for GenNET began in February.

The 150-mile GenNET fiber optic highway was completed by City Signal on June 1, 1997. That summer, Electronic Distance Learning Classrooms were outfitted in member district high schools. Training for the first round of GenNET teachers, who teach classes using the two-way video classrooms, began in the summer of 1997, coordinated by GISD's Technology and Media Services Department. The head-end for GenNET is located at GISD's Davis Education Center. Technical support, inservice, curriculum development and instruction is provided by the ISD for member districts.

Twelve strands of fiber carry voice, data and two-way video providing the following:

• Distance Learning Classes -- Students take classes electronically originating in any member district. Advanced placement classes, foreign languages, science, math, special instructional events, teleconferences and more are taught in GenNET Electronic Distance Learning Classrooms bringing a more diverse selection of classes to high school students.
• Internet Access -- High-speed, safe, secure Internet access is available for student and staff use with GenNET. This brings worldwide resources into local classrooms. Student and teacher e-mail is also a GenNET feature.
• Instructional Support -- Available on GenNET providing help with curriculum, development, instructional management, media resources, software and more.
• Opportunity to Teach Classes Electronically -- Inservice and support is available from GISD to assist teachers in how to instruct electronicaly using the GenNET Distance Learning Classroom.
• Intercom-Style Telephone Service -- Between all member schools saving dollars on all telephone calls including long distance calls.
• Savings on Software -- For districts with system-wide software licensing for member districts.

The 22-member GenNET Governing Board was appointed to guide construction, implementation and use of the education network. Subcommittees, including Agreement/Policies, Finance, Construction, Public Relations, Program Support, Technical Support and Evaluation/Assessment, are hard at work to ensure that all aspects of the network are student- and staff-ready.

Member districts are:

	Atherton			Genesee ISD
	Beecher			Goodrich
	Bendle			Grand Blanc
	Bentley			Kearsley
	Carman-Ainsworth			Lake Fenton
	Clio			Lakeville
	Davison			Linden
	Fenton			Montrose
	Flint			Mt. Morris
	Flushing			Swartz Creek
	Genesee			Westwood Heights

For more information or assistance call us at (810) 519-4433.