Dr. Donaldson addresses tests, construction

In a press conference, with the Bengal’s Purr, Lewiston Independent School District’s Superintendent Dr. Robert Donaldson, important student information was regarding upcoming changes.
It is still unknown whether ISAT 2.0 scores will be used as a graduation requirement for the class of 2017. The school’s overall ISAT 2.0 results came in towards the end of August. The individual ISAT 2.0 scores will be released when the window of appeals closes, Donaldson said.
In terms of the building Lewiston High School still contains asbestos but it is all sealed, contained, and regularly inspected. According to Donaldson, “There is absolutely no affect to students.”
The Lewiston School Board is committed to creating 9-12 grade high school, he said. This will be reached either through renovating the current high school or building on the 80 acres the district owns.
“I will 100 percent support whatever the board decides we do” said Donaldson. “I did throw out the idea of a bond election in May, but it’s at the discretion of the board.”
The board is looking into the option of increasing the local sales tax to lift some of the weight off the taxpayer’s shoulders, he added.
The state looks at all resolutions for the high school and the board’s decision is only a recommendation, he explained
In terms of upcoming changes Donaldson said, the SAT’s are new this year and there may be some new graduation requirements for upcoming classes.
As of fall 2015 there are 2,800 iPads in use district-wide.
“District wide we aren’t one to one,” Donaldson stated. Tammany has an iPad for every student and that is the goal for the entire district.
One way that district leaders think this will be possible is by implementing Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT). “Someday there will be a device for every student,” said Donaldson.