McMullen voted against needed technology

BV School Board member Jim McMullen has repeatedly voted against basic technology that students need for success in K-12 and beyond - college, career, and the global economy. For example, McMullen voted against tech contracts to supply middle and high school students with chromebooks and laptops. These district-issued devices are essential for classwork, homework, some textbook access, AP and PSAT/SAT/ACT prep and testing, and more. 

𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗿. 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻, career educator and former BV Superintendent, for the South area BOE position for many reasons - including his understanding of technology’s role in 21st century learning. Read more here: https://www.standupbluevalley.org/blog/categories/2025-school-board-election 

Imagine if the BV Board of Education 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 support funding for 21st century technology. Students whose families could afford it would have their own devices and software (and parents would pay several hundred or thousands of dollars more for these “school supplies”). - St͟u͟d͟e͟n͟t͟s͟ ͟w͟h͟o͟s͟e͟ ͟f͟a͟m͟i͟l͟i͟e͟s͟ ͟c͟o͟u͟l͟d͟ ͟n͟o͟t͟ ͟a͟f͟f͟o͟r͟d͟ ͟i͟t͟ ͟w͟o͟u͟l͟d͟ ͟b͟e͟ ͟s͟e͟v͟e͟r͟e͟l͟y͟ ͟d͟i͟s͟a͟d͟v͟a͟n͟t͟a͟g͟e͟d͟. 

Individually-purchased laptops would differ with regard to operating systems and capabilities. - creating 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 and disrupting classroom learning. 

High School students take the PSAT/SAT/ACT on computers now; how would Blue Valley students prepare? Do we want our students going into these high-stakes tests being unfamiliar with test-taking on a screen? Most Advanced Placement tests are now taken on laptops. In fact, 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆. BV students would be at a huge disadvantage vs their peers - both at the state and national level - if not highly literate on computer usage.

Like it or not, life in 2025 involves computer use.

Providing every middle and high school student with their own uniform device (set to district standards for online safety) is best for kids, families, and teachers. This doesn't mean students won’t read books, take handwritten notes, write essays or take tests on paper, or interact with peers or have conversations. In fact, Blue Valley teachers are trained to integrate technology into the learning day, not lead with it. This also doesn’t mean parents can’t limit computer use at home, or restrict use of the computer in their kid’s pocket (smart phone). It simply means 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱.

It’s worth a reminder that funds used to purchase tech contracts are NOT able to be used to pay staff. Operating expenses and Capital Outlay expenses are two different funds that cannot be commingled - by state law. Read more here: https://www.standupbluevalley.org/post/how-the-school-board-can-and-cannot-use-tax-money

Remember - 𝗔𝗟𝗟 BV voters can vote for ALL 3 of our endorsed candidates: Dr. David Benson, Dr. Sonya Evans and Gina Knapp in the School Board election Tues., Nov. 4; 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 in-person voting starts Sat., Oct. 25 at BV Hilltop campus and other locations around town. Make a plan to vote!