The district wrapped up the first phase of technology infrastructure upgrades, Gill told school board members Monday.
That included installing the proper wiring needed to support wireless access points in each classroom, she said.
Multiple wireless access points are needed to support internet use in larger buildings and to accommodate a large number of users, Gill said.
"One of things we were woefully behind on was refreshing technology across our system, but also this day and age, it's the access points that are needed to utilize all the online resources and opportunities for our students," she said, noting how many students and teachers utilize Google Documents.
Gill said the goal is to have Wi-Fi access points installed in each classroom before students take the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exam this spring.
The online standardized exam is given to third- through eighth-graders.
The upgrades are part of a five-year, multi-million dollar technology plan Gill unveiled in March aimed at providing every student a laptop or tablet.
The plan calls for $2.8 million in infrastructure upgrades, the bulk of which will be paid through grants under a federal reimbursement initiative known as E-Rate, Gill said.
"It's very important for us to have technology infused into our teaching and learning processes," she said.
School Board member Mike Zimmers said he was pleased to hear how much the district is doing to update the technology available to students.
Gill and her staff deserve a lot of credit in thinking through and implementing a comprehensive plan, he said.
"She really studies things before she makes a move," Zimmers said of Gill. "She also has good people around her that help her investigate things."
©2016 The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill., distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
