Local Teachers Get Raises
After lengthy deliberations, the Glasscock County Independent School District School Board on July 14 increased the base stipend for local teachers from $6,400 to $8,000. It also raised pay for certified substitute teachers from $60 to $80 per day, and pay for non-certified substitutes was raised from $50 to $70 per day.
At-will employees (cafeteria staff, maintenance staff, bus drivers, instructional aides, secretaries and business manager) received a five percent salary increase.
The board is considering buying a laptop computer for every student in grades K–12. Students in lower grades would use the computers only at school, but those in grades 6 – 12 could take them home. Elementary school Principal Randy Gartman said instruction books are all available on CD now. He listed about 16 small schools in this area and in the Panhandle who have provided the computers and are very happy with the results. He visited Floydada, and was impressed with the program they have. He said schools report few problems with neglect and/or abuse of the machines.
An Apple Computer representative presented a video and discussed the merits of his company’s equipment along with a bid of $500,000 for the equipment. The bid includes professional development for teachers. He said Apple machines now run Windows software, as well as Apple’s, so are compatible with existing materials. Superintendent Steve Long is to get bids from other computer companies before the August board meeting. He is also to get bids for making the school a wireless campus.
No Business Teacher Hired
So far, no business teacher has been hired. Long said one person interviewed for the position, but decided to go elsewhere.
Bids were accepted for several services. Diesel fuel (Park’s Fuel) increased from $2.33 per gallon last year to $4.2550 per gallon, each is .075 above cost; unleaded gasoline went from $2,55 to $3.58, also .075 above cost. Propane (Cypert) went from $1.34 to $2.12 per gallon, .12 above cost. Duncan Disposal’s charges went from $13,641 to $15,218; pest control (Texas Pest Control) rose from $8,170 to $10,720 and property/casualty insurance (Rogers & Belding) went from $33,589 to $36,397 for the next year.