School Board hears report on Chromebook use at BHS, McBride

On Monday, the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education listened to an hour-long report on the ways its Digital Leader Corps is experimenting with teaching lessons using Chromebooks at Belleville High School and McBride Middle School.
Curriculum Director Jeff Moore said when it was official that each student would get a Chromebook at BHS and McBride, it was determined that the teachers have to know how to use them.
“If teachers get computers for classrooms and don’t know how to use them, they gather dust,” Director Moore said.
He said a year and a half ago they put together 18 teachers – 10 at BHS and eight at McBride – to develop strong, structural practices.
“We’re in year two of our journey,” he said of the three-year project.
Susan Duda Osborne, a BHS teacher and member of the Digital Leader Corps, gave a report of her work at the high school and how enthusiastic the students are when using their Chromebooks for interesting projects.
She said they are inviting new members for the DLC and there will be professional development for them in March, April, and May.
Andrew Mills, teacher at McBride, gave a report on work at his school. He said when a project is especially successful, it spreads like wildfire through the staff and students.
Board President Amy Pearce said some staff members are reluctant to use all the capabilities available, noting her student has a teacher that sends everything home on paper.
Mills said the DLC is working on this.
School Supt. Pete Kudlak said the teachers have to accept that the kids are better at it, referring to computers.
Trustee Calvin Hawkins said he likes the children pushing the curriculum for their own learning.
McBride Principal John Leroy said there are growing pains.
Mills said there is massive growth in all of the DLC members.
Trustee Simone Pinter said she would like to have a class on use of the Chromebook for parents, the public, and substitute teachers because many “haven’t a clue.”
Duda Osborne said they can learn how but it doesn’t mean they’ll use it.
Trustee Pinter said when she, as a board member, got her tablet, “I erased everything.” She said she took it back to the school and the IT person couldn’t believe she erased it all.
“You can’t keep pushing the buttons,” she said.
Mills said they had some sessions on the computers at the beginning of the school year, but some teachers said that was a busy time of year for them and they would have liked the lessons at the end of the school year so they can practice over the summer. They are looking into that, he said.
In other business at the one-hour-and-36-minute meeting, the board:
• Heard a presentation by Human Resources Director Abdul Madyun on hard caps (the maximum the district would pay for insurance as set by the state) and the ramifications on the different bargaining units. Although information in the board packet said this will be brought to a vote at the next meeting, it probably will be delayed because Director Madyun said he wants to talk to those involved before the board votes. “If we don’t vote to go hardcap and it’s not negotiated into contracts by July 1, it goes into hardcap by default,” Madyun said, referring to state law. In charts, he showed that employee cost for insurance would not change between the current 80/20 VBEA plan, the VBASA, VBAES, and Food Service plans, and the hardcap. If the VBEST contract changed it could negotiate multiple plans like other groups, save the district money, and make it easier for the district to budget, he said;
• Approved the resignation of Charolette Buck-Jackson from McBride Middle School after seven years of service as of March 2 for a job opportunity. Her job has been posted, the district has seven applicants for her position so far, and they are starting to interview;
• Approved the resignation of Patricia Wauford as a bus driver after nine years of service as of March 1 for relocation; and the hiring of Ann Daugherty as a food service worker at Owen Intermediate School as of Feb. 11;
• Heard Director Moore say he met with University of Michigan representatives last week and they will offer one week of summer school in math for incoming fifth graders and one week of ELA for current seventh graders. Also, he is investigating the Michigan Career Quest in Oakland County, where students take a trip to see workers in IT, construction, and other professions as less-traditional career pathways. He said he hopes to have something like that for students here next year;
• Heard Finance Director Sara Cortese announce that the bonds approved by voters will be sold the next day and the district will get the $13 million all at once. She said there is another investment firm that will bring more interest and she will bring a resolution to the board at the next meeting to add that investment firm to the district’s approved list of investments. She also said the Food budget is $4,500 higher than it should be according to the state and the district needs to spend more money, so they will get a few dishwashers and will get more ideas from a webinar;
• Heard Special Services Director Karen Johnston report that the district’s architect met with about a dozen staff members at Haggerty School last week to hear what they would like in the new early childhood development center;
• Heard the BHS student representatives on the board tell that last week was Week of Kindness at BHS and it was a big success. This week is Black History Week, with Monday being Black is Beautiful Day, followed by days featuring wearing dashikis, black excellence, culture and generation, followed by an assembly on Friday. Last year snow closed the school and ruined their week and they are hoping it doesn’t happen this year;
• Heard Supt. Kudlak report the upcoming U.S. Census is important to schools because some of the district’s money is tied to demographics. He said the dance team went to Orlando on Feb. 20 and made it to the second round, falling short by just over one point. It was noted a Black History Celebration is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at McBride; and
• Heard President Pearce announce the FIRST Robotics competition is coming back to BHS March 12-14, with competition on March 13 and 14. Kudlak said there is no school on March 13.