MBUSD transitions to PowerSchool

By Julia Sheth
Theme Editor

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District switched in August to PowerSchool, a new student information system that condenses the previous student information programs into one.

PowerSchool incorporates the functions of Aeries, Gradebook Wizard, Intouch, Infosnap, and Illuminate, which the district previously used, into one software. Because all of MBUSD is converting to PowerSchool, there will no longer be different student information systems at each school level in MBUSD.

“We were looking for more of a one-stop shop for all of our student information system needs,” Costa Prinicpal Dr. Ben Dale said.

A committee of counselors, administrators, teachers, office personnel and technology experts began meeting last year to determine what to do with the out-dated grading and scheduling systems.

“We requested proposals from major student information system vendors, and they presented their products to the entire committee,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. “This move to PowerSchool provides our teachers, our parents and our students with a web-based data system that is used by districts around the world.”

MBUSD began to discuss the switch, but the decision to switch was made in early August. After the decision was final, teachers and administrators were told the transfer of systems would take place at the beginning of the school year.

“The only disadvantage that I can see at this point is that we are trying to get everything ready while school is in session, which is never ideal,” Costa Vice Principal Jaime Mancilla said. “I am confident that within a few months, things will be running smoothly.”

Not only must the transition be made while school is in session, but teachers were only offered one workshop to be trained in PowerSchool prior to the school year. According to some teachers, this has made the transition extremely difficult.

“Although I used PowerSchool at my previous teaching job, I think it would be extremely beneficial to have more than one PowerSchool training workshop for teachers,” Advanced Placement Biology Jessica Bledsoe said.