Cloverdale Schools integrate technology with curriculum

CLOVERDALE--Cloverdale Middle School Vice Principal Cathy Ames and Five-Star District Technology Coordinator Steve Ricketts presented an update on technology integration in Cloverdale school systems at the Cloverdale Community School Corporation Board meeting Monday.

Ames and Ricketts said that while plans created several years ago had to be scaled back when funding for CCSC was reduced, the Technology Integration Committee (TIC) is making forward progress as they determine what technology would best suit current cirricula. The committee is membered by Ames, Ricketts, Superintendent Greg Linton and two teachers from each of the schools.

"We know technology will enhance what's going on in the classroom," Linton said. "We want the cirriculum to drive the technology. We don't want to add fees."

In response to board members' questions, Ames reported that teachers in grades K-6 are already using software provided with textbooks, and wanting more. Ricketts said there are schools that use the devices students are already bringing to school, but that these systems can present IT support issues and legal ramifications where information on students' phones could be open to investigation in law cases. Using student's devices would also require teachers to switch between technologies during a lesson.

Ricketts also reported that bandwidth in the schools is being used at nearly full capacity, and will have to be increased by "a couple $100 a month."

The board will continue to meet on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. There will be a public hearing on the proposed superintendent contract Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. The proposed changes are a one-year extension (taking the term into 2018) and a $500 stipend for 2015-16.

In other business:

*The board unanimously accepted a Wal-mart Grant of $1,500 for the Knoy Resource Center. The Knoy Resource Center is an after-school program for first- and second-grade students.

*Cloverdale High School Principal Sonny Stoltz said that band director Bill Cole received a four-figure donation from an anonymous benefactor Jan. 11. The donation, he said, will help the Cloverdale High School Marching Emerald Band participate in the Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

*Students Suzanne Hubble, 4th grade; Joshua Laing, 7th grade; and Kelsey Helterbrand, 11th grade were recognized as January's Students of the Month.

*Duane Huge was unanimously elected President; Donna Fidler was unanimously elected Vice President; and Vivian Whitaker was unanimoulsy elected Secretary.

*Debbie Rollings was unanimously appointed Corporation Treasurer, while Lynn Lotz was unanimously appointed Deputy Treasurer.

*Lewis and Kappes was unanimously appointed Corporation Attorney, while the Greencastle Banner Graphic and the Spencer Evening World were unanimously designated advertisement newspapers.

*Board compensation will continue to be $2,000 per year.