School Board Approves Laptop Project; Discusses Bond Issue
At their meeting Aug. 11, the GCISD board approved a bid from Hewlett-Packard for $336,000 to purchase laptop computers for all elementary and secondary school students. In his presentation to the board, the HP representative stressed the importance of professional development for the staff if the “Laptop for Students” program is to be successful.
The board discussed a bond to fund the laptop project and other possible improvements. Those items include classroom improvements, improved lighting and a sound system for the auditorium, new lockers in the high school, additional teacher housing, transportation, and a new gym estimated to cost $6M.
Aug. 26 is the last day to call for a bond election for the November general election.
The board approved Aug. 25 as the date for the public hearing on the tax rate, which will be followed by a budget meeting and setting of the tax rate.
The last day to file for a position on the school board is Aug. 26. Four positions are available with incumbent members Diane Havlak, Tibby Niehues, and Kevin Hirt filing for reelection. Karla Hoelscher is not seeking reelection.
Elementary School Principal Randy Gartman, when presenting goals for the year, said teachers will use Saxon Math in K – 5.
Secondary School Principal Misty Kinnibrugh said both the elementary and the high school were named as “Recognized” and the plan is to improve on both. Teachers will receive extra training on TEKS. She said students enrolled for the fall semester at the end of May, so only minor changes will be made to schedules when school starts.
The board approved the appointment of Charlene Belew, Rebel Royall, and Warren Multer as adjunct faculty for the 2008-2009 school year.
No certified person has applied for the business teacher position, which will be filled by existing staff members until a certified person is hired.
Superintendent Steve Long says teachers’ weeklong in-service begins Aug. 18 and school will start on Aug. 25.
Handbook Changes Approved
The board approved the Student and Faculty Handbook with the following updates:
Elementary Student Handbook Changes: 1) Detention will be before or after school for thirty minutes, Monday – Friday. Teachers assigning detention will monitor the students for the detention time period. 2) Cell phones and other electronic devices collected by staff will require a $15 fee to have the item returned. 3) School sponsored trip information and guidelines. 4) Internet usage form attached to back.
Secondary School Handbook Changes: 1) Detention will be before or after school for thirty minutes, Monday – Friday. 2) GCHS will no longer sponsor a junior-senior prom; football and basketball concession income will apply toward a junior class trip. 3) Cell phones and other electronic devices collected by staff will require a $15 fee to have the item returned to the student. 4) Tardy policy – 1-3 tardies, no consequences; 4-9 tardies, detention; 10+ tardies, in school suspension. Tardies will be accumulated for the semester; at the beginning of the new semester, the tardy count will start over. 5) Students who bypass the filtering software on school computers will be assigned 1 week of in-school suspension.