Device approval prompts bigger questions from GCSC board member

The simple matter of approving new devices for Greencastle primary students recently led to broader questions about technology and pedagogy from one school board member.

During the monthly meeting of the Greencastle School Board last week, the board approved the purchase of new Dell Chromebooks for students at Ridpath and Deer Meadow primary schools (kindergarten through second grade).

Supt. Jeff Gibboney said the school has established a four-year rotation for purchasing student devices for each school — GHS, GMS, Tzouanakis and the two primaries together. He noted the need for the upgrade at the primary level, as the current devices do not function with the state-mandated iLearn test for second-graders.

In the midst of the discussion, board member Brian Cox asked a broader question about the efficacy of devices over traditional textbooks.

“With the devices, we were lucky we had them through Covid,” Cox said. “But is it proven they (students) learn better off the computers, or would they be better off using books?”

Gibboney focused his answer on the need for student-teacher interaction regardless of the medium.

“The device is just a tool. We trust the teachers and think the best learning always happens face to face with the teacher and the student in the same classroom,” the superintendent said. “It’s just a tool to enhance learning and help them in their learning. Certainly they use them for assessment and research, just all across the board. By no means are they stuck in front of a screen all day.”

Gibboney went on to say that teachers and administrators have taken a look at the use of technology since the pandemic and have done some things differently, particularly focusing on the responsibility levels of students to take care of the devices.

“We’ve made some adjustments there, and the middle school is working on an adjustment next year about whether the devices don’t go home right away in sixth grade,” Gibboney said. “They’re going to work on teaching them responsibility and how to care for the device and use the device responsibly.”

Cox further elaborated that he just wants to make sure the most effective means are being utilized for properly educating students.

“I’m not against the devices necessarily. I just think it’s worth looking at them once in a while,” Cox said. “I can’t tell you the last time, and maybe this is just me being antiquated, that my kids had to write out a paper.”

“I can’t remember the last time I wrote something out either,” Gibboney responded with a laugh.

“Yeah, but you had the foundation,” Cox said.

“It’s just a tool,” Gibboney reiterated. “They all had writing as well.”

Though still apparently with questions about the overall approach, Cox ultimately made the motion for approval. Ed Wilson, Megan Inman and Dale Pierce joined him in unanimous approval of the request.

In other business, the board:

• Honored the following April students of the month: Greencastle High School - Joseph Hale; Greencastle Middle School - Bailey Stattner; Tzouanakis - Krae Ames; Deer Meadow - Aaliyah Hampton; and Ridpath - Paxton Ensor.

• Approved the 2024 summer school plan. Gibboney explained that the state has changed emphasis in the approach it wants schools to take to summer school, with the focus shifting to remediation for the iRead test following second and third grades.

There will also be credit recovery opportunities at the high school as well as government and economics credits.

Additionally, the middle school will have fab lab summer school, while there will also be band and fine arts opportunities at the high school level too.

• Approved contracts with Shelbi Slack for speech language pathologist services and Sycamore Services for physical therapy.

• Renewed the food service contract with Chartwells, the third of four renewals with the provider. This renewal came with a 5.2 percent increase in fees.

“I feel like we’re in a good place,” Gibboney said of the relationship with Chartwells. “We’ve had to work through some things and the transition. There are going to be some additional things that they share out in terms of programs for kids — Discovery Kitchen — just to try and get our younger students to try some new and exciting food options and to build on our secondary offerings.”

Cox noted that the construction project has not been easy on food service workers, with kitchens not being operational at times. Things should be better with the high school kitchen upgraded and again in working order.

“They’re excited. They love the new space,” Gibboney said.

• Approved a pair of donations: $1,500 from Jeff and Denise Sigworth to Greencastle High School for the top 10 percent dinner and $1,000 from the Jack and Shirley Dalton Trust to GHS for the 2023 and 2024 GHS outstanding senior recipients.

• Approved the following personnel items:

Resignations: Joseph Fields as GHS English teacher, Rachel Crosby as GHS media/instructional assistant, Anthony Byrum as GHS maintenance assistant, Christopher Wolfe as GMS instructional assistant.

Termination: Kristy Murrell as GHS custodian.

Leave of absence: Amy Berry as GHS French teacher (Jan. 1-Dec. 31).

Hire: Frank Schafer as GHS part-time custodian; Rachel Crosby as GHS detention supervisor.

Transfers: Russell Page from bus driver/short route to transportation director; Brianne Blodgett from GMS instructional assistant to GMS ISS instructional assistant.

Extracurricular activities: Rachel Crosby hired as GHS JV softball coach, Renee Marsteller hired as GHS varsity cheer coach (2024-25); Sebastian Cummins approved as GHS volunteer assistant track coach; Jamey Landry and Scott Riggle approved as GHS volunteer girls’ assistant tennis coaches; Jesse Stokes hired as GMS softball coach; Kyle Ames and Robert Boyd approved as GMS volunteer assistant softball coaches; Robert Hedge approved as GMS volunteer assistant golf coach.