Clarkston Schools Approve $1.5M In Technology Upgrades

By Edward Cardenas

CLARKSTON (CBS Detroit) - The Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education has approved nearly $1.5 million to upgrade the district's technology infrastructure and increase computer access for students district-wide.

The district plans on purchasing more than 350 new ChromeBooks to familiarize students with the technology and prepare them for the online Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) testing assessment.

"To continue to perform their best, it is important we provide our students and teachers with the necessary technological resources to aid in learning, comprehension and evaluation," said Rod Rock, Ed.D., superintendent of Clarkston Community Schools, in a release.

This investment marks the first district-wide major technology infrastructure update since 2003, officials stated, and is funded through a Technology Readiness Infrastructure Grant and the general fund.

In addition to purchasing the ChromeBooks, Clarkston will purchase supporting equipment, including carts, mice and headphones, along with data network updates, wireless installation, teacher and administrative workstations and server upgrades.

This purchase comes as the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Standards and Assessment has developed an online statewide assessment testing system, M-STEP, which replaces the MEAP test.

Clarkston Community Schools has 8,000 students who attend seven elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high one high school and one alternative high school.