MFL MarMac plans computer upgrade
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
MFL MarMac is planning a major technology upgrade. At the Feb. 8 school board meeting, teacher Erik Peterson and technology specialist Ryan Martindale presented a proposal to sign a four-year lease for approximately $108,000 per year for new 13-inch MacBook Air laptops for 7-12 students as well as teachers. These will replace current 11-inch computers which are five years old.
The move will bring all 7-8 students, who were previously using iPads, onto the same platform as high school students.
“We did originally plan on only doing 9-12, then we polled the seventh and eighth grade teachers on what their device needs were and their thoughts on the iPads and how they were working,” Peterson shared. “We did get a lot of feedback that they really thought the computer platform would give them more opportunities and provide more for the kids.”
The seventh and eighth grade iPads will be moved to the second and third grade, allowing K-6 to also be on the same platform.
“When this goes through, nothing will be older than three years old, so that will be a huge step for us,” Peterson said.
According to Peterson, the district is guaranteed at least $73,000 when it sells back the older computers, but he’s projecting around $100,000.
“If that has to go to technology, you’re basically getting a year’s lease paid off,” he noted.
Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier said COVID-19 relief funds and physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) funds could also be used for the purchase.
Peterson added that the only downside with the computer upgrade is that the new laptop operating systems will not be supported by the district’s current interactive whiteboards. There are currently 35 in the school, each 11 to 12 years old, and the company has no plans to upgrade.
Although the district is exploring fixes, Peterson said one alternative would be to replace the interactive whiteboards with new SMART boards at a cost of $35,000. These would be compatible and potentially offer more curriculum opportunities.
“When you buy a curriculum, about 90 percent of them have SMART software,” he said.
Some other costs associated with the technology upgrade would include the purchase of some adaptors and some new bags to protect and carry devices.
School still requiring face coverings
Despite Gov. Kim Reynolds’ lifting of the state’s mask mandate in public places, MFL MarMac plans to continue requiring face coverings. Crozier said the decision is largely contingent on quarantine rules.
“If we had no mask mandate and have a bunch of kids in a classroom, less than six feet for more than 15 minutes, and someone gets it and gets quarantined, then you get the whole basketball team quarantined the day before the district finals. I don’t want that to happen, and I think our students understand that,” Crozier told the school board. “Whether you agree with it or disagree with it, the practicality of keeping it outweighs everything else, in my opinion.”
Food service may be outsourced
Crozier announced the district is investigating moving its food service program to an outsourced company. Clayton Ridge, Midland and some other districts have already made the change. Crozier said the district will move slowly in making a decision, and there are no plans to make changes this year.
New programs available
Curriculum director Eliza Philpott shared some potential new learning opportunities for MFL MarMac students. The first is a program called e-Central Learning, which would offer courses in areas like math, science and ag within the online learning platform Canvas. Although course will eventually be offered to K-12, they’re currently for high school students only.
“I really think it could add some opportunity to what we have offered here without putting any extra work on our teachers. It’s all courses created by Iowa educators, and it’s been reviewed to make sure it covers the standards,” Philpott said. “It would be a course repository and a place we could look for open seats. Then we’d have a sharing agreement with that district.”
Another program, through the AEA, is called Authentic Learning. Philpott described it as a clearing house of ideas, many having to do with STEM.
“You partner with community resources and learn outside the building and come up with ideas on how to help the community. Or they could come up with their own little business,” she said. “It’s K-12. There are districts that have their elementary kids looking at it just to get ideas, and then they bring it into STEM. It could be a Talented and Gifted project, or business or ag.”
North Fayette Valley and Central schools already have similar programs.
Contracts approved
The board approved several contracts, including Nancy Hunter for food service, Paul Gordon for assistant baseball coach, Meg Lammers for guidance assistant and Jan Metcalf for middle school guidance.
School receives donation
Crozier announced the district has received a $1,000 donation from Norplex to go toward STEM education.
