Board hears testing recovery plan, transportation and facility updates after storm disruptions
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Summary
Administrators told the Gaylord Community Schools board about efforts to recover testing schedules after a recent snowstorm, including using nearby facilities, adding shuttles, new Wi‑Fi hotspots and assistance from Kirtland Community College to accommodate digital testing and accommodations.
District administrators updated the Gaylord Community Schools Board of Education on a districtwide effort to resume standardized testing and regular instruction following a major snow event that disrupted schedules.
The district reported it is prioritizing junior year SAT administration and PSAT testing, with plans to limit interruptions to the school schedule by using community facilities and targeted transportation supports. Administrators said they worked with College Board and the Michigan Department of Education to coordinate makeups, and used local partners — notably Kirtland Community College — to host accommodated digital testing for students who require special testing settings.
Transportation and technology supports: The district said transportation staff organized shuttle service to move students to testing sites, and the technology department arranged additional hotspots and Wi‑Fi to support online testing. Officials said some makeup opportunities may be lost because of timing, but the district expects minimal interruption to PSAT and SAT testing for eligible students.
Staffing and building updates: School leaders praised staff and community partners for clearing routes and supporting students’ return to school. Several principals and staff reported high attendance on the day schools reopened and credited transportation crews, maintenance staff and volunteers. One principal said the PTO helped reschedule and fund some activities previously canceled due to the storm.
Classroom and extracurricular notes: Administrators also reported routine school items: recognition of 27 academic scholars (students with cumulative GPAs above 4.0 under the district’s AP‑weighted scale), upcoming civics competitions for middle‑school students, a campus read‑a‑thon fundraiser that netted approximately $36,000 districtwide with $13,000 earmarked for one elementary school, and rescheduling a planned STEM museum visit to June.
Quote: “Everybody’s working together and rowing in one direction to get us to our destination,” said the district staff member who presented the testing update, noting collaboration across transportation, technology and local college partners.
Ending: Administrators said they will continue to prioritize testing logistics, student accommodations and communication with families as the district completes makeups and resumes planned spring events.