PlenumVault Digital Systems Simplify Classroom Technology at Lake County Schools
Lake County Schools in Central Florida operates more than 50 schools and serves more than 40,000 students.
The district recently completed a multi-year project that included the installation of Extron AV
systems in classrooms at several schools such as Sorrento Elementary, Gray Middle School, Lake Minneola
High School, Sawgrass Elementary, and Mount Dora Middle School. Classrooms at Eustis Heights Elementary,
the latest school to be upgraded, were outfitted with PlenumVault Digital systems from Extron.
We selected Extron classroom AV systems because of our history with the company, the quality of their
products, and the level of support provided at every stage.
Jimmer Roy
Network Security Systems Administrator
Leadership Team, Instructional and Information Technology
Lake County Schools
Before these new systems, the County’s classroom AV was tricky to install and often left the front of
the room looking cluttered. “Previously, we installed AV components on the wall next to a short-throw
projector,” says Jimmer Roy, Network Security Systems Administrator for Lake County Schools.
“This required a significant amount of coordination among trades to get the locations correct for
conduit and electrical boxes.” Often, they had to run surface mount raceway for cables, which detracted
from the room aesthetics.
Out of Sight with PlenumVault Mounting
With
PlenumVault Digital Systems, the County is able to seamlessly integrate digital and analog video
sources. Their classrooms typically include a networked computer, document camera, and media player.
The AV switcher/amplifier and power supply are housed in the PlenumVault mount, with cabling hidden
in the ceiling and walls.
The PlenumVault mount fits in a standard 2' x 2' suspended ceiling for easy installation. A hinged door
simplifies equipment installation, setup, and maintenance. PlenumVault also accepts a trimmed ceiling
tile to match the room environment and keep sensitive equipment hidden from view. The new classrooms
also feature flat panel displays and with the components hidden away in the ceiling, the front of
each room is kept clean and neat.
Easy-to-Use MediaLink Controller
Teachers find the new systems very easy to use. Each classroom features a wall mounted MediaLink® controller.
The layout of the controller interface is intuitive and simplifies control of display power, volume,
and source selection. “The structure of the control system just makes sense,” says Roy. “Teachers
appreciate always finding the same control interface as they move from room to room.”
The new systems are so easy to use, that the Lake County teachers who use them call for technical assistance
less often. Most technical support calls are related to the classroom computer or network connectivity.
“We rarely receive calls for help with the new AV systems,” says Roy. “When we do, those calls are
usually very simple to resolve without a trip to the classroom.”
VoiceLift Microphone Benefits
Teachers also appreciate the voice amplification system in each room. The County installed the Extron
VoiceLift® Microphone System option with each PlenumVault Digital System to improve speech intelligibility
by gently amplifying the teacher’s voice. The pendant microphone is so light weight that teachers
are comfortable wearing it for the entire school day. Both teachers and students at Lake County have
commented on how useful they find the additional handheld microphone for student participation.
“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from teachers about the VoiceLift Microphone,” says Roy. “Since
they don’t have to shout to be heard, they’ve noticed it’s really helped reduce the strain on their
voices after a long day of instruction.” Studies show that use of a sound field system, such as the
VoiceLift Microphone, results in increased student achievement and a reduction in teacher health
issues related to voice fatigue.
Long-Term Project with On-Going Extron Support
The classroom installations were part of a multi-year project at Lake County Schools. Construction of
the elementary schools took about 18 months, while the high schools required over two years from
groundbreaking to opening. “We selected Extron classroom AV systems because of our history with the
company, the quality of their products, and the level of support provided at every stage,” says Roy.
“We didn’t want to risk such an important project on a company that might not be around in 5 years.”