The Catoosa County school system will soon have new computer labs in each of its three high schools.

Denia Reese, superintendent of Catoosa schools, said each school will have a 25-seat computer lab, as well as a 10-seat lab for special needs students.

The system will purchase 105 computers, plus printers for the labs and software, all at a projected cost of around $162,000.

Funds for the project are coming from ESPLOST, special education, and general funds.

Reese said the cost for the software, around $80,000, is what the system is currently paying for its software.

Kim Nichols, assistant superintendent, said the labs, which will include expanded bandwidth for internet usage, will greatly benefit students and help them “keep up” on the state and national level.

“I'm very proud of the plan,” Reese said Thursday, April 30,in a school board work session.

Reese said the process will begin in July and should be finished by August.

Also in the work session, Damon Raines, Catoosa County director of operations, spoke to the board on behalf of the county's local emergency planning committee.

He said the committee has been working for the last three years to develop a plan for schools in the case of a pandemic.

The swine flu outbreak has prompted a more “proactive” stance for cleaning, such as wipe-downs of the schools on a daily basis rather than once a week.

He said the cleaning protocol for the schools has not changed, but that the schools are “setting standards for cleanliness.”

Reese said the system is in contact with public officials concerning the matter.