Web posted
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Schools plan upgrade for classroom computers
By MICK WATTS
Traveler Staff Writer
Arkansas City School officials will be taking bids to upgrade computers for its teachers, board members decided Monday night. They estimate the computer upgrades will cost about $321,000.
USD 470 Assistant Superintendent J.K. Campbell said that it was necessary to make sure that teachers in the district can go into the classroom with the proper equipment and asked that the board approve the 'tech specs' he gave them.
He estimated that the request amounted to approximately two hundred dollars per USD 470 student. That figure would meet the technology goals set by the board, he said. Technology equipment and software purchases for the upcoming fiscal year fall under three categories: replacement, increased access to technology and innovative uses.
Some of the items included in the request were notebook and desktop computers, laser printers, document cameras and desktop presentation systems, along with numerous other pieces of state of the art equipment totaling $321,609 in expense.
Superintendent Ron Ballard stressed the need for cross platform capability because of the mixture of systems that exist in the school district. Submission date for the bids is set for Feb. 11, 2008, with the expectation that they should be in place six to eight weeks afterward.
Additionally the district business office sought permission for a lease/purchase proposal to finance buying the equipment. The board approved both action items.
Board members acknowledged first-year teacher Tamara Cassidy for being honored as one of thirty-two Kansas Horizon Award winners. The award is given by the Kansas Department of Education to first-year teachers who have demonstrated exemplary capabilities. This is the third consecutive year that USD 470 has received the award.
Also on the agenda were Administrative Performance Evaluations proposed by Ballard. This appraisal tool is geared to assess and strengthen the performance of instructional leaders (school principals). An effective rating-scale questionnaire is given to each principal to gauge strengths and weaknesses in their job performance.
Board members moved to approve the suggested evaluations.
J.K. Campbell presented an action item proposing a contract with a 403 B Third Party Administrator. The company selected to provide the service is Gate Keeper. Gate Keeper provides oversite that protects the district in the tracking and distribution of funds within the district's retirement annuity plan. This service is helpful in the event of an IRS audit.
The board also approved 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 revised school calenders.
The meeting was called to order with board members Tim Harmon, Daren Reese, Jan Voss, Reba Pinegar, Joe Woodward, Ron Ballard, J.K. Campbell, Joelyn Squires and Mike Walker present.
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