Rockdale County Board of Education members will decide whether to spend a little over $165,600 for technology upgrades that will offer better network access to many of the county's middle schoolers.

Assistant Superintendent Eugene Baker explained the proposed wired and wireless network upgrades during Thursday's regular work session.

The upgrades would improve internet usage at Conyers Middle and Memorial Middle Schools.

Baker said CMS has the oldest wireless network and MMS had the highest traffic in the entire district because of its science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, initiative.

"So both of those schools have a high priority need for us to upgrade their networks," Baker said. "Our intent is to create networks where a student could have as many as three devices and they have no issues at all."

Technology devices include laptops and iPads, according to Baker, and are used by teachers and students to support instruction and interactive classrooms.

Baker linked the upgrades directly to the district's strategic plan that includes one-to-one technology for students.

MXN Corporation is the proposed vendor for equipment purchase and service for installation and configuration.

The board will vote on the expenditure during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.