Clinton schools receive $1.6 million technology grant

The end of a school year is always cause for celebration by students and staff, but Clinton Community Schools had 1.6 million more reasons to celebrate on Thursday, June 4, at an all-school pep rally. The Robert and Ellen Thompson Foundation just awarded the school district with a $1.6 million 1:1 Technology Grant.“I’m a retired teacher,” said Ellen Thompson. “I am not a technology person, but I know if the students don’t have what they need they are starting at zero. Technology is very necessary.”Gathered on the football field with the stands filled with students dressed in red, Bob and Ellen Thompson were showered with thanks and handmade gifts. A teacher and two students from each of the district’s three buildings spoke with excitement about how better technology would improve the education of all the students in the district.The goals the district can meet with the 1:1 Technology grant go beyond devices for each student to work on individually, although that is possibly the most visible advancement for staff and students. Teacher and administrator development at a comprehensive two-day retreat this summer is another part of the district’s plan.An instructional coach from CBD will also work in the classrooms with teachers throughout the year as well. Classrooms will be updated with ceiling mounted data projectors, document cameras and sound systems.Computers will be replaced with state-of-the-art technology in every classroom, office and library. To support the updated computers, the district’s network, servers, and operating systems will be upgraded.The Robert and Ellen Thompson Foundation was started by the couple after Bob sold Thompson-McCully Co., his contract road paving company. With a $100 million from the sale, he and Ellen started an educational foundation to help educate those who need it most.“Our focus has always been education,” Ellen said.They have established private school scholarships for inner city students in Detroit, scholarships at Schoolcraft Junior College in Livonia, as well as undergraduate engineering scholarships and graduate scholarships at Michigan State University.In addition, the Thompsons provided funding for other outreach programs, including an anonymous $200,000 grant to Clinton Community Schools in 2011. “Until recently, I had no idea who gave us the money,” said Interim Superintendent David P. Pray. For this donation, the Thompsons decided to let the district know their foundation was providing the grant. “We thought it was time to put a face on what was happening,” said Ellen.The Clinton Community Schools Board of Education was appreciative of the vote of confidence in the district and the boost to the district’s academic reputation in Lenawee County. “This grant will carry us into the next generation of technology,” said Board President Jeff Clark. “We will use the money as we need it.”Administration will have the ability to keep up with the changing face of education and utilize education inside and outside the classroom. “We can get information faster,” said Clinton High School Principal Kevin Beazley. “The grant will help us upgrade.”Utilizing the funds appropriately will be up to students and staff, according to Pray. “I am not a technology person,” he said. “The people who have the knowledge will make the decisions, not administration or the school board.”