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USD 112 eyes more technology
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HOLYROOD — More technology could soon be utilized in USD 112 classrooms.
At Monday’s meeting of the Central Plains USD 112 board of education, a request to purchase 35 Apple iPads for use in a pilot program at Wilson Elementary School and Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood was presented for consideration.
Brian Smith, Wilson principal, accompanied by a group of USD 112 teachers, visited schools in Abilene and Inman to view iPad usage by students.
“We think this is a really good thing to put into our classrooms,” said Susan Thielen, WES fourth grade teacher. “Kids love technology.”
Thielen said both Inman and Abilene schools reported a decrease in student behavior problems since the iPads came to the classrooms.
“It gets students involved and engaged,” added Shae Sheeby, CPES second grade teacher. “This is just a tool to help us teach the content and add to some of the things we are doing now.”
Smith said the cost of the 35 iPads would be around $520 each.
Board members decided to discuss the matter further at the January meeting.
In other business:
• Wilson Mayor David Criswell asked the board to consider entering into an interlocal agreement with the City of Wilson to adopt the neighborhood revitalization plan the Wilson City Council adopted Nov. 7.
“The uniform neighborhood revitalization plan in Ellsworth County has not done anything in Wilson to address blight,” Criswell said. “In fact, we’ve actually gone backwards.”
Criswell noted a stronger, more aggressive plan, such as the one adopted by the City of Wilson, would provide more of an incentive to property owners to make improvements to their existing structures which they might not otherwise do. Since Wilson is in need of rental homes, that incentive could benefit USD 112.
Steve Woolf, USD 112 superintendent, said anything that brings more families to the district would be a benefit. “The more families we have in our district, the better,” he said. Board members will discuss the matter further at the January meeting.
• A $16,000 expenditure to purchase new playground equipment for CPES was approved.
The remainder of the $22,000 total expenditure will be paid from funds raised by the school’s carnival planned in April, and from funds already in an account from past carnivals
Board members advised CPES principal Jane Oeser to check whether the equipment is still available at that price, and also the references of the internet company from where the equipment is being purchased.
• The board tabled a decision until the January meeting on replacing the engine of a 2001 Bluebird school bus or purchasing a new bus.
• Resolution 2011-12-12 was approved. It deals with the transfer of the former Claflin Elementary School and USD 354 district office to the City of Claflin.
• A two-day trip to Kansas City, Mo. in April by Central Plains High School music students was approved
Toby Holmes, CPHS principal, said the only expense to the district will be for vehicles and drivers. The students and the music department will pay for all other expenses.
• Smith said nine members of Wilson High School were recently inducted into the National Honor Society. He also reported the school is considering the purchase of two smart boards. Oeser said four smart boards are needed at CPES and Central Plains Middle School in Bushton.
Smith said the USD 112 Hall of Fame north induction will be conducted Feb. 3 in between basketball games at WHS. • Holmes said the USD 112 Hall of Fame south induction will be conducted Jan. 13, during half-time of the CPHS boys basketball game in Claflin.
• Woolf thanked KC
Enterprises, the trash collection contractor in Wilson, and the City of Wilson, for dropping collection rates at Wilson School from $272 to $120 a month.
The next meeting of the USD 112 board of education will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, in the CPHS cafeteria in Claflin.