CATAWISSA RR - Southern Columbia Area Superintendent Paul Caputo announced Monday night that the district received 150 Chrome notebook computers for a pilot program for eighth-grade algebra students.
The 11.6-inch computers that cost the district $44,450 were purchased in lieu of new algebra I textbooks for eighth-grade students in the upcoming 2013-14 school year, Caputo said at the school board meeting.
Students wishing to use the new technology must have their parents sign a waiver; parents will be financially responsible if the computer breaks as a result of misuse, he said.
Director Timothy Vought asked if expecting parents to be financially responsible for new computers would cause some students to opt out of the program, which he said might leave them behind and go against the philosophy of public education.
Solicitor Rich Roberts explained the district is not forcing students to use the computers, and Caputo said the same classwork would be made available via paper handouts for students who don't use the computers.
"We're going to be phasing this in. We can ease our way into it," Caputo said.
"This is definitely the future, no doubt," Director Rick Steele said.
Not purchasing textbooks allows teachers to stay up to date on information, Caputo said.
Brenda Monick, director of curriculum, instruction and technology, will provide further information to the board next week, Caputo said.
Raises
The board unanimously approved a 2.25 percent salary increase to the three cafeteria employees and a 3 percent salary increase to all seven other non-union supervisory and support staff.
The highest paid in that category is Tim George, supervisor of buildings and ground, at $61,861.25, which increased from $60,500.
The extracurricular and co-curricular positions were also approved with no salary increases.
However, these could increase once contract negotiations with the teachers union are finalized. The salaries are based on the collective bargaining agreement that expired July 1, 2013.
Letha Stone, as choral director, is the highest paid in this category at $3,569. She is paid an additional $4,773 for her position as musical director and band front advisor.
The district also renewed the contracts of 10 security personnel at a rate of $30 per person per event, and re-newed a memorandum of understanding between the district and Locust Township Police Department.
Both of these actions are standard practices, Caputo said.
The state requires school districts to identify a police department in case assistance is needed during emergencies, he said.
Neither action is a direct reaction to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, Caputo said.
However, he noted, local police departments have been pro-active since the shooting and have increased police presence.
In other business
The school board:
- Awarded a bid for a weatherproofing project at the middle, high and elementary school buildings to Spotts Brothers Inc., Schuylkill Haven, in the amount of $46,000.
- Changed Kimberly Chaundy from assistant varsity girls basketball coach to head varsity girls basketball coach for the 2013-14 school year with a starting salary of $4,500. The position was previously held by Kevin Collins, who passed away from a heart attack last month.
- Approved an American Red Cross shelter agreement designating the high and elementary schools as emergency shelters during a disaster.
- Set the admission fees for football, basketball and wrestling events at $5 for adults and $3 for students, for soccer, hockey, softball and track events at $4 for adults and $2 for students and junior high and junior varsity sports events at $3 for adults and $1 for students. Season passed will be $40 for fall sports, $60 for winter sports and $25 for spring sports, and $100 for a full year of sports. Admission for faculty, athletes in season and senior citizens over the age of 62 will be free.