Virtual Desktops: The Way of the Future for Chippewa Valley?

A special presentation on virtual desktops was presented Monday to the Chippewa Valley school board by Craig McBain, the director of technology for Chippewa Valley Schools.

Tom Giachino and Cassie Damer of Metro Technology Services accompanied McBain for the presentation.

As a program that would save the district millions of dollars plus energy costs, virtual desktops minimize the bulky "tower" of a desktop and allow programs and software to be cloned for a more efficient process, allowing students to work from any computer in the district.

The virtual desktops would be made up of older computers that are currently housed in the district’s warehouse that would then connect to a central “hub.” McBain explains that once the computers are put in place, the computer labs will not look new, but instead there will be a better working system with “remote access, better supports, Internet connected devices and the ease of personal computers.” Once the computers must be replaced in a few years, more sleek, devices will be looked at for purchasing.

“Going forward, we can’t see spending $9 million every five years to replace computers,” McBain said. “A lot of the technology world is looking at virtualization.”

Currently, the Chippewa Valley school district has 9,000 working computers in its schools.

The school board is set to vote May 21.

NOTE: This story was updated at 4:39 p.m April 17 to correct Craig McBain's title.