School board works on Chromebook use

At Tuesday’s Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors meeting, the board heard about the changes following last year’s vote to approve a four-year security and technology capital projects levy.

After approving the purchase of 60 more Chromebooks for students use district-wise, conversation turned to their use.

“They are being used a lot more than we originally expected,” J.A. Wendt Elementary School and John Thomas Middle School Principal Theresa Libby said. “Teachers have really had to work together to figure out who is using them when.”

The smaller versions of the Chromebooks will be sent to K-8 where they need quantity, according to Technology Director Paul Ireland.

“It was my impression that we would be distributing the newer ones with the one-to-one program at the high school,” Ireland said.

The one-to-one program, which staff and administrators hope to begin at the start of the second semester, will provide each student at WHS with a Chromebook to use at school and at home. Students will be responsible for the devices and must turn them in during the summer break.

The board approved the policy and agreement that Libby and WHS Principal Stephanie Leitz had written for students who will participate in the one-to-one program.

“I think that the opportunity will be great for the students but I think that they will also have to understand the responsibility that comes with it,” Leitz said. “We may have some that opt not to take it home.”

The verbiage in the agreement is also applicable to middle and elementary students, who won’t be taking the devices home, but must follow certain rules for use of the Chromebooks.

Superintendent Bob Garrett gave an update on the security upgrades at the school which included new phones, a PA system, cameras and more.

“It’s amazing to me what has happened in one year's time, Garrett said. “It was November of 2014 that the voters approved it and here we are a year later and most of it is already in place.”

Board members approved several other items.

In order to split up a bus route with more than 70 students, the board approved the hire of another regular bus driver. Lee Tischer, who has been working as a substitute will move into the new position.

Paul Lawrence was approved as the new head K-8 custodian, and former teacher and substitute Linda Wright will step in to replace a teacher who is currently on medical leave.

The middle school is producing a yearbook this year. Several students are involved and in need of an advisor. The board approved a stipend of $600 for an advisor, who has yet to be hired.

The parent of a student voiced his concerns about how a recent incident on a bus was handled at Tuesday’s Wahkiakum School District Board. The parent will meet later this week with administrators to discuss the situation.

County Commissioner Mike Backman was in attendance and asked if a representative from the school might attend the Hunger Task Force meetings, which are held every second Wednesday.

“There are lots of cracks,” Backman said of food security issues, “we don’t anyone to get caught in them.”

School Board Member Tina Schubert suggested having a student on the task force as well.

The next school board meeting date was changed because of the holidays and will be held at 5 p.m. on December 17.