The Chillicothe R-2 School Board approved the creation of a district technology instructor’s position Tuesday night during the regular March meeting held at district headquarters.
The person hired for that job, Smith says, would be responsible for instructing teachers how to use technology in their classrooms. The technology instructor would also be responsible for the upkeep of the district's website. Smith said the funds to pay the salaried position would come from realigning existing funding. (The district currently spends $12,000 annually to out source the upkeep of its websites.) The district, she said, would advertise the position "in house."
Board members also approved the creation of two hourly-wage computer maintenance technicians who will analyze technical problems, trouble-shoot and repair the district's technology equipment. The creation of those positions, Smith said, would also be "budget neutral."
The board also gave Smith the go-ahead to hire a part-time Spanish instructor if enough area schools expressed interest in paying for his/her instruction via interactive television (ITV). The district's benefits of having a part-time instructor would include resolving scheduling issues of some students at the high school who are interested in taking Spanish, but are unable to due to scheduling issues. Those students, Smith said, would be able to take Spanish during the times when the part-time Spanish teacher would be teaching area students via ITV.
The district, Smith said, would theoretically purchase the equipment to run the program through federal stimulus funds earmarked for technology. The superintendent said that as well as generating additional revenue from area schools, the district could utilize the equipment for other learning opportunities.
Board members also approved the expansion of the Chillicothe Alternative Center for Education (CACE) to include openings for middle school students. With the unanimous approval, Chillicothe Middle School students needing an alternative education setting will go to the CACE, along with middle school students from area schools.
Smith said that the expansion of the CACE to include middle school students could be a "large revenue generator" for the district.
In other business, the board accepted a budget revision for the 2008-09 fiscal year showing a deficit of $624,065. The revision reflects a $27,000 increase in transportation revenue and a $7,603 increase in state revenue. Board members noted the previously approved budget showed a larger spending deficit started with in September was $659,987.
Board members also:
• Approved a mowing bid from Griffin Mowing of $3,260 to mow all of the district properties four times a month during 2009.
• Approved a bid from BTC Bank for employee health plan bank depository services.
• Approved federal audit revisions.
• Approved teacher evaluations, maintenance, facilities and custodial service reports, heard a report on the agriculture building and a report from board member Eric Reeter on the facility committee.
In executive session, the board offered teaching contracts to probationary teachers, to Penny Denton for the position of high school vocal instructor and to Tori Hallette, as high school Spanish teacher.
The board accepted resignations from Janice Shaffer, of the Chillicothe Alternative Center for Education, Amy Dorrell, high school special education teacher; Susan Rogotzke, Central School library aide; Kyla Slater, high school special education aide; and Donna Buzzard, high school Spanish teacher.
