C’view hears laptop computer proposal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education looked at a proposal to provide computers to all students in grades 6-12 during its April meeting held Monday in the district boardroom.

Crestview Technology Coordinator Shane Leeth gave a presentation on a proposed 1 to 1 computer program that would provide laptop computers to each middle and high school student in the district. Leeth said those involved in developing the proposal first looked at whether laptops, netbooks or tablets would best provide the technology needed, with a determination that laptops would be the best choice. Leeth added that leasing the computers for up to four years would provide a cost savings and allow the district to save considerable money it would have paid out to purchase the computers.

Having computers for each student in grades 7-12 would also allow the district to eliminate three of the school’s four computer labs, maintaining just one high-end lab that provides video editing and other resources for the schools Mass Media class. Elementary students could then use the computers from the eliminated labs.

Leeth was also given a new three-year contract by the board later in the meeting.

Also Monday, the board viewed a presentation student Tanner Skelton, who recently took a trip to Gettysburg, Pa., and Washington, D.C., after doing well on an Americanism test. The presentation included a video of the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

In personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of middle school-high school teacher Linda McCann, who is resigning after 19 years in education, 18 of those at Crestview, and learned that Owen Pugh, who is retiring as a teacher at the end of the year, is requesting re-employment as a district bus driver. A public meeting will be held at the May 20 board meeting to consider public input on the request. Action would then be taken at the board’s June meeting.

A one-year contract was also given to Lori Orsbon as EMIS coordinator, effective the 2013-2014 school year, while Zachery Rosenbeck was issued a one-year contract as a high school math teacher/CARE instructor or the upcoming school year.

A continuing contract was approved for Becky Macki as an elementary teacher.

Other teaching contracts were approved for Christine Albright, Kristy Bagley, Sarah Brenneman, Lindsay Ebbeskotte, Christa Gasser, Colby Kuhn, Lindsey Martinez, Nehemiah Murphy, Hannah Phlipot, Steven Sealscott, James Lautzenheizer, Lindsey Newlove, Matt Perkins, Julie Schumm, Melissa Basinger, Jason Cross, Amy Roan and Melissa Roop.

Non-teaching contracts were approved, as follows: Jennifer Daugherty, Sandy Etzler and Sara Owens, paraprofessionals, and Janice Lichtensteiger, secretary.

In other action, the board:

• Designated May 6-10 as Staff Appreciation Week to honor Crestview’s staff.
• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $155 for the Brenda Showalter Schumm Girls’ Athletic Scholarship Fund.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel, with no action taken afterwards.

The next meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, May 20, in the district boardroom.