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Parent says switch to Microsoft Teams hurt ISD 279 Online; urges board to include stakeholders
Summary
A parent and teacher, Jennifer Schroeder, repeated objections to the closure of ISD 279 Online and criticized the district's switch from Google Meets to Microsoft Teams as implemented without adequate teacher or family input, saying it created barriers for students.
Jennifer Schroeder told the board she has raised concerns about the district's decision to move ISD 279 online classrooms from Google Meets to Microsoft Teams and said the change was implemented without meaningful input from teachers and families.
Schroeder, who identified herself as a parent and teacher and as an advocate for the online program, said she piloted Teams and raised attendance and instructional concerns to district staff but received no substantive response. She said the change "was not made with 279 online in mind" and warned that digital classroom design requires distinct planning. Schroeder also referenced a prior appearance in February to oppose the closure of ISD 279 online elementary and asked the board to listen to stakeholders before major platform changes are finalized.
Schroeder said administrators had told her "significant research and thought went into this change," but asked whether the district researched how many students stopped attending during the pilot and how families currently use Google Meets. The remarks were part of the public comment period; the board did not take action on the platform decision at this meeting.
