Overton Schools Accepting Bids For New Phone System

Overton County Schools is looking to install a new phone system for all buildings in the district.

Director of Schools Mark Winningham said project will be an expensive one with over 100 phones to replace.

“Our phone system is in most of our schools is an outdated system,” Winningham said. “It is an old Nortel system, which you can not get a phone for anymore. If a phone goes out, the only way you can get it is a refurbished phone.”

Winningham said about 10 companies toured the different schools Monday to map the phone locations. The project is currently out for bid with the winner being announced November 13th.

“We want the ability to communicate better within the school and outside the school,” Winningham said. “Usability of the system itself and new technology we currently do not have.”

When reviewing bids, the board of education will consider the companies ability to retain phone numbers, create district wide routing abilities, use of auto answering systems and installing the system with the current network.

Winningham said a time frame for the installation and estimated cost will be known after a bid winner is announced.