WL-S approves more grant-funded iPads

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WEST LIBERTY – West Liberty-Salem Local Schools will be getting more technology in the coming year, with the purchase of new iPads and MacBook computers, and improved emergency notification upgrades.

The school board approved the purchases at its July 28 meeting, along with a number of staff actions, to get ready for the upcoming school year.

The board approved the purchase of 150 iPad Air (16 gigabyte) tablets to complete the district’s implementation of the school iPad program for grades kindergarten to ninth grade. The purchase provides at least one cart of iPads for each grade level to use for instruction and other applications. The board also approved purchasing 10 MacBook Pro notebooks for use with students and staff in special education, along with seven Mac mini computers. The purchase is paid for from a grant, and will cost $69,443, according to the district’s agenda.

The board also approved the purchase of LYNX Systems, Duress and Emergency Notification System, estimated to cost $20,000, of which $4,000 is paid for from a grant from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The new system will be used alongside the district’s new security system to notify staff and emergency personnel by phone, computer and smartphone.

The board approved a change from part-time to full-time gifted services for elementary students, which would allow for additional gifted services for students in reading and mathematics, and for additional extension for students identified gifted to improve student growth. Gifted services are contracted through the Madison-Champaign Educational Service Center.

In other action, the board:

•Approved minutes and financial reports.

•Approved Sally Heater as a full-time custodian starting the 2015-16 school year.

•Approved Julia Brehm for a one-year paraprofessional contract for the 2015-16 school year.

•Approved advancing Margaret Williams (from BA +150 to Masters) and June Seymour (from Masters to Masters +15) on the negotiated pay scale.

•Approved Molly Smith for a one-year, 205-day, limited contract at Masters, Step 10, for the 2015-16 school year. She replaces Amy Hibbs as high school guidance counselor.

•Approved hiring MS Wrestling Coach Ben Griffith at Step 2, MS Cheer Advisor (Fall) Taylor Peirce at Step 0; MS Boys Basketball (7th) Coach Dean Wasson at Step 3; MS Boys Basketball (8th) Coach David Cline at Step 3; HS Girls Basketball (JV) Coach Ray McCullough at Step 3; and HS Boys Basketball (JV) Coach Mike Louden at Step 3; all for the 2015-16 sports season.

•Approved Hannah Perdue as a school volunteer for bandcamp.

•Approved HS Cheer Advisor (Fall) Jessica Meginness at Step 2, for the 2015-16 sports season.

•Approved Freshman Basketball Coach Kyle Morris at Step 0; HS Boys Basketball Coach Joe Taylor at Step 1; HS Girls Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach Aaron Hollar at Step 3; MS Girls Basketball (7th) Coach Jenny Peterson at Step 3; MS Girls Basketball (8th) Coach Kim Hollar at Step 3; Weight Room Supervisor (fall and spring) Dan McGill at Step 3; and HS Girls Varsity Assistant Soccer Coach Kim Hollar at Step 0; for the 2015-16 sports season.

•Approved the resignation of Amy Hibbs, high school guidance counselor, effective the end of the 2014-15 school year.

•Approved the 2015-16 Coaches Handbook.

•Approved volunteer coaches Hannah Ropp (Girls Soccer), Ashley Dennis (Cross Country), Emily Hess (Cheerleading – winter), Kenleigh Farris (Girls Basketball) and Stephanie Spencer (Girls Basketball), all for the 2015-16 school year.

•Approved Angela Godwin for a one-year limited contract as Title I teacher at Step 3 of the bachelor’s pay scale for the 2015-16 school year.

•Approved fund-to-fund transfers.

•Approved American Fidelity to provide the Unreimbursed Medical/Dependent Care coverage with a maximum amount of $2,500 for unreimbursed medical, and $5,000 for dependent care. Employees will continue to pay the processing fee as determined by American Fidelity, which is zero.

•Approved purchase orders which exceed $10,000 and do not fall under the exclusion item reasons.

•Approved a donation of $150 from Woodard McGovern Post 426 to the band.

•Approved a delegate and alternate for the 2015 OSBA Annual Business Meeting.

Board OK’s emergency notification improvements

By Casey S. Elliott

[email protected]

Casey S. Elliott may be reached at 937-652-1331 ext. 1772 or on Twitter @UDCElliott.

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