Background
The Anaheim California Elementary School District (AESD) has a long history of broadcasting curriculum-based programming to their schools. In 1959, through a grant from the Ford Foundation, AESD became the first school district in California to broadcast curriculum-based programming to its 23 elementary schools. Over the years the signal has been transmitted in a variety of ways - from a closed-circuit cable system, to Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS), and now online streaming. Most recently, AESD began reaching out to their families through the AESD YouTube channel which now has over 5,000 subscribers.
Customer Requirements
According to Mr. Brian Brooks, Media Services Supervisor for Digital Education Services at Anaheim California Elementary School District, " Prior to the pandemic, school board meetings were recorded, but not broadcast live. The meetings had always been held in public so families could interact with the Board and the administration in person, and the need for live interactive video streaming was not necessary." The pandemic prevented that from happening. As families became anxious for news and updates, the bimonthly School Board meetings, which were being conducted over Google Meet, were then simulcast live over YouTube so families could stay engaged and up to date with their child's school.
Results
As AESD began to transition back to live, in-person meetings, a hybrid solution was needed and that's where Lumens came into play. After careful consideration and a meeting with local Southern California vendor VMI and some Lumens representatives, AESD purchased two Lumens VC-A50P cameras and mounted them to C-Stands with the school board spread out throughout the room. The cameras were controlled by an operator in the corner of the room using a Lumens VS-KB30 controller and a Blackmagic switcher.
As more and more people began to view the live meetings, it became obvious that a more robust permanent solution would be needed. A storage closet in the back of the Board room was converted to a control room and six more VC-A50P were purchased and permanently mounted to the ceiling.
The two original cameras were moved to the district’s television studio and are now being used for science and eSports broadcasts.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
 – Hybrid Public Meeting Room.jpg)
 – Hybrid Public Meeting Room_3.jpg "Image 2 of 5")
 – Hybrid Public Meeting Room_2.jpg "Image 3 of 5")
 – Hybrid Public Meeting Room_1.jpg "Image 4 of 5")
 – Hybrid Public Meeting Room_4.jpg "Image 5 of 5")