LAS Board of Ed Approves Improvements to Security Features, High School Computer Lab

By Michelle Smith || contributing writer

The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education met for its regular meeting, March 11, at the Administrative Offices building.

Antonio Casarez presented the Student Council report and congratulated the girls gymnastics team for making it to the state finals, and the wrestling team for winning the state championship. He also reported that due to March being “Reading Month,” student flex time is designated reading time.

New projects approved

The Board approved the cost of improving security cameras at the high school. Hillard Electric won the bid to do the job for $51,367.00. Safety and security grant money will be used for this project that LAS Superintendent Nate Fowler said will improve camera coverage and vision quality.

Also being covered by safety and security grant money are door entry replacements. Two doors at the high school and the Wittenbach Wege Center main door will be replaced. International Distribution Network Door and Hardware will do that job costing $50,925.80.

Board President, Brian Krawjewski, said instead of using sinking funds to cover these projects, the Board will now, through, “some great grant work, we’re able to leverage a different source to be able to do that.”

Updates to the high school computer lab will include general construction, plumbing, and electrical. The following company’s will do the work for these prices:

General Construction, Vander Kodde Construction - $49,500

Mechanical/Plumbing, Northwest Kent Mechanical Co. - $55,800

Electrical, Grand Valley Electrical Services - $20,580

Superintendent Fowler said the bids for the computer lab project came in lower than the estimates. The computer lab houses design and engineering classes for the high school.

“We’re really excited about this project. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been limited in that space by the furniture, by the electrical layout. It’s just hard for students to collaborate in that environment. I’m excited that with these upgrades and changes, we’ll not only be able to meet the needs of the class, but we’ll be able to provide an environment more like what students would see in a career in that field,” Fowler said.

This project will address the physical structure of the room. It does not include furniture and equipment.

Department reports

Dustin Cichocki, Director of Human Resources, said his team is getting ready for the Lowell Expo, March 23 where they will have several booths promoting LAS. One of the main things they will be doing is recruiting workers for open jobs in the districts, specifically bus drivers, para-professionals, substitute teachers, and custodial staff.

Sonia Hodge, Chief Financial Officer, reported she is in negotiations with a contract for a new financial software, as she reported last month, and is busy applying for and awaiting grants

Dan VanderMeulen, Director of Curriculum, said the parent education workshops have begun. Thirty parents attended the first session, with Joe Martino Counseling. VanderMeulen said he was happy with the turnout and the engagement of the participants. Though it focuses on children in grades 6-12, all members of the community are invited to attend. The final session will be March 20 at the middle school.

VanderMeulen also said he is focusing on the LAS vision statement and how to further develop it. The statement reads, “Learners today, leaders tomorrow, Red Arrows for life.” “We’ve been using that phrase for some time, as you know, and we’re working to further develop that and how it relates to the strategic plan.”

Public comments

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Lowell resident, Kim Lum, spoke about March Reading Month and brought books that are special to her to show the Board, specifically books on Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Stefanie Boone brought up being respectful, even during times of conflict. She said disagreements are normal, but asked what to tell children who are being told otherwise - that disagreeing is not okay.

“I myself have run into this these past three years. I might not agree with everything that’s going on in the schools. I’ve been as respectful as I possibly can be with that. And in response, I have most recently received a cease and desist letter from Mr. Gough, and Mr. Fowler has confirmed that he approved that, as well. I just want to make sure that the board members are aware of behaviors that don’t necessarily match the words that are coming out of our mouths.”

The letter, which Boone previously posted on social media, cited “inappropriate and unproductive behavior” and asked Boone to not mention any reference to LAS employees on any social media platform. It also directed Boone to not contact any LAS staff members without prior permission from the building principal or Fowler.

Boone said this letter is a “direct trampling on First Amendment rights.” “That’s not how we solve problems. We want to talk through things. If you don’t like something I’m saying, I’m sorry, but let’s talk about that.”

Superintendent’s response

Fowler said he wants to continue to promote the message to students that it is fine to disagree, but it must be done respectfully and appropriately.

He said the district received a resignation letter from James Christians, the LAS high school English teacher who is accused of sexual crimes involving a minor. Fowler said the district is moving forward with filling the now empty teaching position, and a substitute teacher is currently teaching the classes. The current charges against Christians do not involve LAS students.

Fowler reported there are now emergency radios in each of the school offices, all supplied by Kent County and provide a direct line to the county dispatch. “Radios that we hope we never use except when we are testing, but we just appreciate having that direct line of communication.”

Fowler said the district is also working to update school building mapping systems to have them digitized for first responders.

A student well-being survey is going out this month to identify if the students are feeling like they belong, attendance rates are up, and class failures are down, Fowler reported.

Emma Bailey’s first grade Bushnell Elementary class are state champs in a program called, Read Bowl. The students logged a cumulative total of 60,000 minutes.

Fowler said he is looking forward to academic testing this spring so as to have a measurement of student progress. He encouraged the community to attend the Lowell Expo and stop by the LAS booths for more information on what is going on in the districts, including the bond proposal that will be voted on May 7.