School board considers paperless report cards

School board considers paperless report cards - A close up of text on a white surface - Report card

The district’s Student Information Systems Coordinator Michael Michaud demonstrated to the school board how paperless report cards might work, using his youngest son’s marks as an example. The Monroe County School District is considering, but has taken no formal steps toward, the idea of paperless report cards.

According to Michaud, a recent survey of parents shows that 80% to 90% have internet connectivity. District staffer Dave Murphy said the technology could be more accessible for some parents, plus be a “greener” alternative to printed report cards. Right now, parents can access grades electronically only by signing in as their students to the Focus portal.

The district decided to survey parents before implementing report cards and, most likely, the first step would be to have parents “opt in.”

In other news:

  • The board approved the expulsion of a 16-year-old Key West High School student who allegedly brought a handgun to school on April 12. According to a police report, it was a Walther PK380 he intended to sell to another student for $500. The student told police he found the weapon in an unlocked car in the Lower Keys.
  • The district accepted two huge donations — one from Yamaha and the other from the Miami Dolphins Foundation. Yamaha has donated 10 used engines to the Coral Shores High School’s marine mechanic program. The Miami Dolphins Foundation had gifts for all three Keys high schools: for CSHS, a scoreboard and football equipment such as helmets and shoulder pads totaling $25,000; for Key West High School, $30,000 including equipment such as sleds and lockers; and for Marathon High School, $35,000 including a new scoreboard plus equipment ranging from sleds to player bench and cleats.

• The district’s attorney, Dirk Smits, told the board the plans for workforce housing on Sugarloaf Key are ready to be submitted to the county’s planning commission, and then the Board of County Commissioners. He said the process should be finished by July and staff would begin on the Request For Proposals in the meantime.

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.