Heather,
It seems that the school may have purchased the incorrect pens. The solid grey pens were not designed to work on the boards (models begin with PRM-AB) that interact with the grey/orange pens. The solid grey pens were designed to work with our newer model boards (models begin with ABV3 or 5) with the broad 4 - 5 inch border. The ActivBoards were manufactured differently therefore ActivPens and ActivWands are not interchangeable. (case# 227603)
Hope this helps!