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Newer technology for teachers may be coming

Teachers in the Huntington County Community School Corporation got some welcome news at the school board’s meeting on Monday, Jan. 23, in the form of new iPads and MacBooks.

Board members considered replacing teachers’ five-year-old MacBook computers, which Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Chad Daugherty said are nearly outdated.

“What we’re finding out, with the MacBooks being five years old and only 64 gigabytes, is they’re running out of memory, especially when we’re using a lot more of our digital resources with our computers,” Daugherty said, “so they’re becoming more where they’re not being able to basically save a lot of the data that they’re using.”

Other issues involve processing speed on the old MacBooks, as well as teachers now using the laptops more often as their main computer rather than a desk computer, allowing them to be more productive and mobile.

A questionnaire sent to teachers in December reveals 41 percent of middle and high school teachers do not use their iPad tablets for instruction, and only 17 percent use an iPad on a daily basis. Most use their MacBooks, Daugherty told the board.

He added that iPads would also be refreshed for elementary teachers in addition to MacBooks, because that is the device that students use for learning.
Daugherty recommend- ed providing computer carry bags similar to ones that students were issued.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Classified Staff Jon Bennett said the technology upgrades will help put HCCSC on top as a desirable school system.

“Thanks to the leadership in our Technology Department … our teachers, administrators, I think Huntington County Community Schools is separating itself from other local school districts, even more affluent districts that we may look to and say we want to be like them,” Bennett said. “We can say, ‘Huntington County is where you want to send your children. We’ve got great teachers and great technology experience.’”

The devices, carry bags, protective covers and extra charging blocks would cost the corporation between $250,000 and $300,000 per year for a four-year lease, Bennett said. Administrators’ computers, which are six years old, would also be rolled into the lease.

Some of the old computers and iPads would be sold for their residual value – around $100 to $150 for MacBooks. Some laptops would be retained for students to use if their regular computers are being repaired.

Administrators will make a formal recommendation for a new lease program at the school board’s Feb. 13 meeting.

There was more good news from the corporation’s finance report, with cash balances in the 2016 calendar year budget ending on a high note.

Bennett said the corporation finished out December 2016 with a balance of $4,429,990 in the general fund.

“That’s our highest cash balance in the general fund in the last five years, so we feel good about that,” he told the board.

Other end-of-year balances are:

• Debt — $2,645,738, with recent debt payments leaving an operating balance of just under $750,000.

• Capital Projects Fund — $3,462,041.

• Transportation — $2,247,826.

Bennett added that the corporation finished with a negative balance of $44,216 in its bus fund due to the recent purchase of eight new buses, even though it stayed within its state-approved budget. He blamed circuit breaker tax cap losses for the negative balance, which will be rolled over into the 2017 budget.

In another matter, the board unanimously gave permission for the corporation to receive bids to replace the 36-year-old leaky roof at Riverview Middle School and fix the crumbling stucco around the school’s roof. Superintendent Randy Harris said he expects the projects to be done over the summer.

Bennett said he did not know the exact cost to fix the roof, but the bidding process would provide some answers. He guessed the cost would come in between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, paid using general obligation bond money.

The corporation has hired architect and engineering firm Barton-Coe-Vilammaa to seek the bids. Bennett said the process would take a month, and expects to have bids back to present to the board at a meeting in March.

Harris ended the meeting by saying the corporation is seeking more people for substitute teacher positions. A call-out will be held on Feb. 3. Interested individuals should call 356-8312 and speak with Patty Brodbeck in the Human Resources Department to set up an appointment. Applicants must have a high school diploma and post secondary education is preferred.

Pay for substitute teachers is $75 per day, with those holding teaching licenses earning $80 per day.