Tech purchases approved by Jackson Heights B.O.E.

Getting Jackson Heights’ facilities and technology ready for the 2015-16 school year was on the USD 335 Board of Education’s agenda at the board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday.

District Superintendent and Elementary Principal Adrianne Walsh presented board members with a list of potential summer maintenance projects for the district, noting that cost estimates would be provided for board members to review at their May meeting.

Board members also reviewed and approved a list of technology purchases for the coming school year that marked a savings of more than $21,000 over the list of technology purchases for the previous year. District Technology Director Vern Andrews said the tech purchases represent what the district needed to do “to just stay on par,” technology-wise, with other school districts.

Of the total projected tech expenditure of $53,013.37 — down considerably from the $74,369.63 in purchases for 2014-15 — nearly half, or $24,820, was for technology at the grade school. Andrews said that includes $9,420 for the purchase of 30 “netbook” portable laptop computers — $314 each — for third-grade students, noting that those students are expected to continue to use those computers through their sixth-grade year.

The elementary tech budget also includes the “phasing in” of small laptop computers for second-graders, a “hybrid” that can be used as a laptop or have its screen detached to use as a tablet, thus providing them with a learning product that can be used to transition from first-graders’ tablets to third-graders’ “netbooks.” Andrews’ purchase list included 18 “hybrids” at a total cost of $7,596, or $422 each.

At the high school, the $14,253.20 purchase list included 35 “netbooks” for incoming freshmen, the total cost of which was listed at $10,990. Andrews reminded board members that freshmen are expected to “keep their netbooks all the way through high school.”

District-wide, Andrews proposed switching to the Smoothwall web filter at a cost of $2,979.17, noting that the district has had several problems this year with its existing web filter. The district will continue to utilize PowerSchool software at a cost of $4,200, an amount that Andrews said had not “gone up substantially” in recent years.

Walsh also presented her “wish list” for the coming summer, including a request to do something about an exterior cinder block wall near the preschool classroom at the elementary school. The wall has been painted, she said, but “chunks of cinder block” are coming off of it. The school’s building leadership team is also requesting name signs by classroom doors, she added.

Other recommended elementary school projects included a new ceiling fan for the principal’s office, repair of water damage in one classroom, shelving and painting in the primary batthrooms, gym refinishing and lighting, replacement of some tile and painting of the return air vents in the ceiling.

At the high school level, Walsh said she wanted to see some work to fix the shot put and discus ring near the football field, as well as some clean-up and fix-up work on a shed where football equipment is stored. Middle and High School Principal Darren Shupe said the shed work, along with a few other projects, could be incorporated into the senior class’ “community service day” on Monday, May 11.

Other projects recommended by Walsh for the high school included painting, refinishing and lighting work in the gym, painting in the school’s “Ag Hall” and “Cobra Hall,” installation of a gym clock and the addition of an outside fence near the English classroom.

District-wide, desired projects also included relocation of a sidewalk from the new middle and high school addition, addition of gravel in an area for “food buggy” parking and window replacement at the district office. Walsh said she would invite Robert Powers, district custodial and maintenance director, to the May meeting to discuss the projects further.

In other business on Monday, the board:

* Approved the meeting’s agenda and consent agenda, the latter including minutes from the board’s March 9 meeting and monthly bills and activity account reports.

* Met with high school business teacher Dan Shupe and vocational agriculture teacher Paul Lierz to discuss CTE Pathways and USD 335 Advisory Council guidelines approved earlier this year.

* Discussed, with Dan Shupe, the district’s policy on sending students to regional and national competitions.

* Approved the purchase of scoreboards for the Jackson Heights High School gym from Daktronics of Brookings, S.D., for $9,814, plus $2,800 in installation costs, unless Walsh could get a better deal on the scoreboards through the Greenbush school cooperative.

* Discussed criteria for the placement of eighth and ninth-grade students in math classes, approving the development of criteria for such placement.

* Approved Kansas Association of School Boards membership dues and legal services fees for 2015-16 at a cost of $5,239 for dues and $1,650 for legal fees (total $6,889).

* Discussed options for the teacher appreciation day at the end of the current school year.

* Heard an update from Walsh on education-related activities in the Kansas Legislature.

* Heard a comment from Walsh on how some school districts in Kansas no longer accept out-of-district students and how others are considering discontinuing the allowance of out-of-district students into their districts. She said she would like to continue the district’s policy “as is.”

* Heard a report from Walsh on recent Honor Flight activities, noting that the donation-funded program has $10,581 in its account and an “early fall” flight is being planned.

* Heard a report from Walsh on elementary school activities, including the recent kindergarten round-up, in which 24 students were enrolled; updates on assessment tests; and news of upcoming activities.

* Heard a report from Darren Shupe on a proposal raised at a recent Northeastern Kansas League meeting to raise adult ticket prices at high school activities from $4 to $5. The proposal was voted down, Shupe said.

* Heard a report from Shupe on middle and high school activities, including a large number of music students earning I ratings at regional music competitions and being eligible for state competitions; Shupe’s upcoming participation in a Kansas State High School Activities Association meeting set for May 1; updates on assessment tests and pre-enrollment packets; the possibility of a language arts curriculum for students in seventh through ninth grades; and upcoming activities, including high school graduation on Sunday, May 17.

* Met in executive session for 55 minutes to discuss personnel matters.

* After returning to open session, the board accepted the resignation of vocal music instructor Clarissa Berglund and agreed to offer a teaching contract to Brad Alley as middle school social studies teacher.

* Adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:15 p.m. All board members were present, including Dr. David Allen (president), Doug Amon, Konrad Coe, Neal Keeler, Kelly Kennedy, Ed Rostetter and Melinda Wareham.