Students and teachers are getting $1.48 million in new technology, some of it within the next few weeks as they prepare for new state testing.
“The M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) begins in seven weeks,” said Angela Harrison, administrator of technology, at Monday’s school board meeting. “There’s a time crunch ? it will take time to set up, configure, and install.”
The school board voted unanimously to approve two technology purchase proposals ? $338,270 for M-STEP technology and $1,143,450 for Technology Report priority purchases.
The M-STEP purchases include switches, assess points, and equipment, including $157,248 for Chromebook computers. The technology will provide the minimum level needed for the test, Harrison said.
“To give us a fighting chance to pull off this testing,” she said.
The M-STEP transition process has been disruptive for teachers and students, said board President Steve Hyer.
“Hopefully this will make it easier,” Hyer said. “This is an opportunity we as a board can work on to get these devices in the hands of the kids.?
The new state test, which will be conducted online, replaces the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), and will be in the spring instead of fall. Testing starts April 13, according to Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
As with the MEAP, it will test students in grades 3-8 in English language arts ? reading, writing, and listening ? and mathematics. Science is moving from grades 5 and 8 to grades 4 and 7, and social studies from grades 6 and 9 to grades 5 and 8.
Board Secretary Craig Hamilton asked about 10 percent contingency funds in the proposals.
Harrison said the contingency funds are to cover unexpected costs and will be returned to the budget if not used.
“We want to make sure we’re covered ? if something goes wrong, we have the money to cover anything that comes up,” she said.
The technology proposal for $1,143,450 in purchases is based on a technology assessment presented Feb. 9 by consultants Convergent Technology Partners.
It includes $206,500 for cabling; $200,000 for infrastructure; $200,000 for wireless systems; $375,000 for teacher computers; $25,000 for battery backup systems; and $33,000 for system upgrades and computer imaging setup.
The school board budgeted $1,583,297 for technology purchases this year, leaving a balance of $101,577.
The technology assessment, which cost $20,000, presents a list of priotities for the district. Top priorities include recabling the high school, replacement of network equiment and router switchesdistrict wide, making the district wireless, replacing outdated computers, and eliminating obsolete XPoperating systems. Total cost recommended in the assessment for Priority One is $2,021,500.