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Band program raises $20,000; district reports new metal detectors, community outreach, CTE and AI initiatives
Summary
At the Westwood Heights board meeting, the band director announced $20,000 raised from a Renaissance Festival, and staff reported new metal detectors installed, community outreach events providing IDs and birth certificates, NCCER registration for CTE certifications, and plans to pilot AI tools for staff and students.
Westwood Heights administrators and staff reported several operational and program updates at the board meeting, including a large fundraising haul for the band, a technology and security rollout, community assistance events and career-technical education (CTE) advances.
Band director Mister Golden invited the board and public to a holiday concert on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. in the Hamady Middle High School auditorium and said the program had generated $20,000 through work at the Renaissance Festival. "Our students... were able to generate $20,000 for our program," Golden said, and noted additional opportunities for students to participate in regional clinics and evening performances.
District staff reported new security metal detectors had been received and staff trained. A staff member said the detectors are more selective than previous units and can detect weapons such as guns and knives while allowing efficient throughput of many students. Staff reported the devices were rolled out in school that day and praised their efficiency.
District parent liaison Mrs. Jasper outlined community outreach events she has led since returning to the role. She reported a free IDs and birth-certificates event that served 89 families and a separate event that issued 51 state IDs. She also said the district coordinated Angel Tree assistance for about 78 families and said the district had distributed bags, gas cards and bus passes to families in need.
On academics and career training, administrators reported registration for NCCER (the construction trade certification program) had been completed, allowing the district to fund student testing and certifications in areas such as electrical, plumbing, masonry and painting. District leaders said the move will help students earn credentials that support entry into skilled trades.
Superintendent Key recounted takeaways from a Michigan education research conference, emphasizing AI'related planning. "If our young people can't use AI, they will not be fully in the next 5 years," he said, describing district plans for staff training and a pilot program. Key said the district will continue cautious, phased AI adoption with attention to ethics, privacy and equitable access.
Staff also reported that a robotics student had been accepted to Kettering University and that Academy West reported strong adult education enrollment and students finishing credits early under its quarter system.
