Post date: Jan 15, 2010 9:53:43 PM
Eureka School Board Meeting - notes
January 14, 2010
Technology Presentation: Rob gave a entertaining video presentation on “What students have to say” about the technology programs they have been using in their classroom. Many positive comments from kids!
1st grade: Blogging buddies
1st - 3rd grades: RAZ kids
E-PALS
Voice thread
4th grade special projects - writing a book with pictures
Vision Net - Metro Zoo, NASA Distance Learning, Denver Museum….
Middle School students: Alex, Braden, and Madison presented using Photo Story, and Madison demonstrated ways to utilize Google Docs.
HS students: Baily and Acadia - High School Tech TA program. Acadia is working on STAR Peer Mediation using online peer mediation drop box.
John Harris wants an active plan to get all teachers trained. Rob’s all over that!
Cari commented that the Elementary teachers are already independently using these programs thanks to Rob’s training and support.
Discussion: Include technology in all areas to the 5-year plan. How to finance the continued development of technology??? The Slate grant will help. 259 computers added, but will need replacements in the future at 60/year. Smart Boards in almost every classroom, but how do we budget in burnt out bulbs at $300 a pop? Network is tapped out. Need $165,000 plus $100,000 a year to keep up with it. Think about it and discuss at next meeting.
Facilities - John Harris
5 year plan, grant due next month - Feb. 9, official grant application now available. $3,341,000? total grant money in the wings.
PR - Joan
Valley Pride release is Feb. 16. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 22
An alumni association is being developed.
HS Student Council Report: Activity Day before Christmas was organized. Currently working on Team Day TBA.
Consent Agendas approved.
Administrative report:
Cari - Creating an elementary (3rd and 4th grade) student council - 1 rep. from each class.
On Monday, the elementary building should be wireless.
MAP testing Jan. 26 - 29th
Computer Lab - always full. Even if had 1 per grade level, would still be filled.
In-service day on Friday, Jan. 22. Discussed agenda for the day.
Trevor - will MAP test Alternate school kids only - Jan. 26-29th
Mini-courses started this week - a great outdoor activity.
Student Council’s idea of: decrease in Office referrals = more dances - is working well (President Emily Billow)
Joel - Kudos to Ed and John for coordinating team transportation with other out of town teams traveling to tournaments… saves money.
Wrestling team to State using 2 vans instead of a bus.
OPI team (SRT) will be here Feb. 8-11 as a requirement for not making AYP 2 years in a row. A preliminary visit will take place on Monday at 3:30. Interviews with teachers, board members, students, and community members will take place during the Feb. visit. An on-line survey should be filled out before they arrive.
Peer mediation is doing a great job. No fights this year. Mr. Mepham attested that to having such visible Principals in the buildings, especially at lunch time.
The new wrestling mat is in.
Mr. Mepham:
Retirement incentives needs to be on the agenda at the next meeting. 2 teachers are considering retirement.
Curriculum coop added to next meeting.
A request from a Head Start student wanting to ride the W. Kootenai school bus with a school-aged sibling - voted to deal with this type of situation on a case by case policy.
Nepotism discussed. If relatives involved - table until the next meeting.
New Business:
Fuel Bids - 2 bids: the cheaper one from Big Sky Exxon was accepted.
Transfer of Energy Credits: tax credit on BioMass Plant of approx. $15,000 was approved to be passed on to CTA. Big discussion of biomass ensued.
Quality School Project Grant application - passed: $762,000 is requested out of a state total of 12 million. If this request is too much, John Harris will re-negotiate the amount. Grant is due Feb. 9 (before next meeting).
John Hammond was appointed County Transportation Representative.
Personnel Report:
Terry Langston was added to the list of subs on the agenda, and all were approved:
Charie Carvey, Linda Hazel, Donald Hazel, Terry Langston - Elementary/Jr. High
Charie Carvey, Andrew Shay, Linda Hazel, Donald Hazel, Terry Langston - High School
Notes taken by Pam Truman