Centre board approves technology purchases
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Included among a list of technology items approved for purchase Monday for Centre USD 397 were two sets of Classroom Performance Systems, one for the high school site, the other for the elementary school.
Technology committee chairman Russ Hake demonstrated how the system works. It can be used in any classroom.
Each set includes individual keypads for 24 students. The keypads operate on radio frequency and are similar to remote controls.
Questions can be posted by the teacher on an electronic board or handed out in print, and students can answer the questions electronically using their keypads.
Hake noted when a teacher using the system posts a question during a class discussion, every student can answer the question using the keypad. Thus, all are actively engaged.
The system can be used for tests and provides instant feedback.
Hake said research shows students and teachers like the system.
Jennifer Kassebaum was supportive of the system but expressed concern about getting wrapped up in testing and teaching to the test.
Jesse Brunner was concerned that a lot of technology was being purchased but wasn't being integrated into the classrooms.
Board president Clark Davis disagreed. Hake said the technology is being used but conceded that new curriculum may need to be developed to make better use of the technology.
The cost of the two systems was $2,900. Hake said if they are found to be used extensively, the board will be asked to purchase more of them in the future.
Other items included in the $9,805 total purchase price were five LCD projectors, an Interactive Whiteboard for the English classroom, and software licenses.
Part of the money will come from a REAP grant and part will come from district funds.
The board of education spent a lot of time discussing using a different assessment method of testing students to gauge performance and school improvement.
The new assessment would replace the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Several options were considered including the district formulating its own tests.
Counselor Lacy Wallace said the district is allowed to create its own tests as long as they align with state standards. He said it would be cheaper than purchasing standardized tests.
Two standardized tests, Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Lexile Framework for Reading, also were considered.
Instructors Gail Lorson and Marci Cain gave input supporting new assessments. They agreed the tests would be better aligned with state standards and would provide rapid feedback on students' progress or areas of weakness.
The board asked Wallace to continue to research the issue and provide more information at future meetings before a decision is made.
Transportation director Steve Smith gave a report on the status of the bus fleet. He noted the 71-passenger bus purchased in 2005 allows boys' and girls' teams and their coaches and managers to travel to sports events together but does not allow enough room for players' large duffel bags.
He said the bus is supposed to carry three passengers to a seat but can only seat 45 high school students and/or adults comfortably.
The board was presented with several options. The option to retrofit the present bus with storage space was rejected out of hand because it was deemed the fiberglass doors would not hold up on gravel roads.
After much discussion, the board authorized the district to solicit bids on a 71-passenger bus with built-in storage and also on a 53-passenger bus, with trade-in or sale of two old buses. The bids will be presented to the board at the April meeting.
Architect Brent Bowman from Bowman Bowman Novick Inc. was on hand to talk about the proposed science room remodel project.
He requested time to come up with revised cost estimates due to changes in the economy since the original cost estimates were submitted.
The board scheduled a special meeting for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 to hear the revised cost estimates and take action.
The board approved purchase of athletic supplies and equipment totaling $5,922.06 from Lou's Sporting Goods and Sports Connection. Included in the purchase is a remote-controlled volleyball serving and setting machine for $1,247.
The board meeting that was set for March 13 at the Lincolnville Community Building will be held at its regular meeting place, the CHS library.
The board reviewed several school policies including a new one regarding use of automated external defibrillators by school personnel.
The district's closing cash balance on Jan. 31 was $1,301,832.97. The board approved payment of bills totaling $72,167.58.
Centre Leos to host
soup feed Feb. 26
Centre Leo Club will host a soup dinner and supper from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at Tampa Senior Center.
Games, sponsored by Tampa Community Association, will begin at 7 p.m.
The meal is by free will donation. Proceeds from the event will go to Tampa park improvements.
