In 2018, the Lake Orion Community Schools community voted to pass a $160 million bond, marking a significant investment in the future of its students. As part of the bond, a comprehensive furniture pilot program was implemented, spanning across ten schools in the district, to decide what new furniture and technology would be integrated into the learning spaces. The goal was clear—ensure the substantial investment in furniture would effectively support flexible, 21st century learning environments.
Start with a Plan
From the outset, intentional planning was key. First, ensuring sufficient funds in the bond issue to support a pilot program was essential. This meant thinking ahead and setting aside resources to test different furniture solutions before making district-wide decisions. Second, the stakeholders, including administration, teachers, and students, were identified early in the process to ensure broad-based input and buy-in. Third, choosing furniture and classroom technology needed to support the type of learning Lake Orion was implementing.
The primary objective of the pilot was to identify the optimal combination of furniture styles and technology to support flexible learning throughout the district. The program was rolled out in two phases: elementary schools first, followed by middle and high schools. Each pilot ran for six weeks, during which feedback was collected from the students, teachers, and administrators.
The pilot program tested various types of furniture within the same classrooms to determine what worked best. Students tested out different furniture options like chairs with casters, group tables, wobble stools, soft seating, storage, individual desks and more. Additionally, the program evaluated technology options to establish district standards, including smart boards, webcams, audio enhancement systems, and student devices.
Implementation Lessons Learned
Elementary Schools: All elementary schools received consistent furniture across grade levels, ensuring uniformity across schools and ease of use for the district. This approach provided valuable insights into how younger students interacted with different furniture types and what facilitated the best learning outcomes.
Middle and High Schools: For middle and high schools, typical layouts were created for various departments rather than grade levels. This meant developing specific furniture plans tailored to the needs of Science, ELA, and Math/Social Studies departments.
Implementing the pilot in two separate phases offered the chance to refine the process between stages. The team learned valuable lessons that included:
- Conduct pilot tests by furniture dealers rather than mixing products from multiple manufacturers. This approach eliminated confusion when it came time to order selections and provided better comparative analysis.
- Color coding, particularly in seating, proved helpful in gathering clear feedback from students and teachers.
Impact on Students and Educators
Since implementation, the new furniture has had a significant positive impact on student engagement and well-being. Flexible furniture options provide students with a sense of autonomy, allowing them to move and choose seating arrangements that best suit their learning styles. The increased movement and flexibility also contribute to higher engagement levels and improved physical and mental well-being.
To support educators, the district has provided training on how to set up and use the new classroom furniture packages effectively. Instructional coaches were available to assist with technology integration, ensuring that teachers felt confident and capable in the updated learning environments.
A key goal of the initiative was to create equitable learning environments across the district. Each grade level and department received the same “kit of parts” for instruction, promoting consistency and fairness. This district-wide initiative also reinforced the commitment to providing all Lake Orion students with the best possible learning environments.
Looking to the Future
The success of the furniture pilot program has instilled trust in the community that Lake Orion Community Schools is making well-informed decisions to enhance teaching and learning environments. Presentations to the community and the school board have highlighted the program’s impact on students, setting the district up for future success in capital improvement initiatives.
By gaining buy-in from educators, students, and the community, Lake Orion Community Schools has positioned itself as a forward-thinking district dedicated to continuous improvement and student success.
