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Board gets update on BYOD
[December 17, 2012]

Board gets update on BYOD


Dec 17, 2012 (The Stanly News & Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Chief Technology Officer Brandon DeLeeuw spoke before the school board at its December meeting, providing an official update on the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to school program.



This nine-week program which enabled students and faculty to bring in smart devices (phones, tablets or laptops) to use at designated times was piloted by two schools in the district, North Stanly Middle School and South Stanly High School.

"As you can see, we got some pretty positive feedback from teachers. Although, it wasn't for an administrator's purpose, the teachers were very supportive of this and we seem to have the administration's support, as well," DeLeeuw said.


He also noted that the BYOD program had received lots of good press, noting that they had been interviewed by the national magazine Education Week in regards to the program. Also, the Johnston County school district expressed an interest in what Stanly was doing with the BYOD program.

"We've also had a lot of interest around the county with this program coming to their school," DeLeeuw said.

He explained a couple of the issues that the school board would have to address if the program were to move forward.

The first concern would be making this program voluntary. It would be up to the school's discretion on whether they implement BYOD.

Another concern would be expanding the program to make it available for teachers in all grades.

Should BYOD continue, DeLeeuw suggested it would work well for students in grades six through 12, but he also expressed an interest in creating a pilot program of BYOD for elementary schools.

DeLeeuw relayed that at a later school board meeting they would have a couple of students who participated in the program make a short presentation on their experiences with BYOD.

Among the other orders of business, the Stanly County Board of Education recognized their former board members: Chris Whitley, 2000-2012; Tracey Wyrick, 2008-2012; Sandee Lambert, 2008-2012; and Anita Owens-Scott, 2004-2012.

Finance Director Bill Josey gave an update on the audit for June 30, 2012, explaining that he believed it would be complete by Dec. 31.

Dr. Sandra Carter, assistant superintendent, spoke about Stanly Early College (SEC) becoming a member of the NC STEP iniatitive for the 2013-14 school year, which will provide on site development for lateral teaching for their instructors. Additionally, the school will receive a $2,500 stipend to utilize in making lateral education a reality.

SEC is one of eight schools in NC to be selected for this initiative.

The next regulary scheduled meeting is Jan. 8 in the Commons Meeting Room.

___ (c)2012 The Stanly News & Press (Albemarle, N.C.) Visit The Stanly News & Press (Albemarle, N.C.) at www.thesnaponline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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