New London taking additional steps to become 1:1 elementary school

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? New London School staff is taking even more steps to further their 1:1 laptop initiative with Clark Elementary School students.

During the regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Clark Elementary Principal Todd Palmatier announced he will be traveling with a group of elementary teaching staff to Gurnee Elementary School District, in Chicago, to observe how their elementary schools utilize a 1:1 computer program at an elementary education level.

?We will be going on Oct. 7 to see how they use their 1:1 program to get a better idea of what all needs to be in place to make an elementary program work well. We really have to talk to people that are already doing what we are wanting to do,? said Palmatier.

Superintendent Steve McAllister also stated that New London chose to observe Gurnee because of their distinguished status in the educational community.

?This school district is an Apple-distinguished school. They are one of very few Apple-distinguished schools in the nation, and it just happens that they are fairly close to us,? McAllister added.

During their visit, New London staff will be paying particular attention to the school?s ability to instruct using Apple Mac computers, as well as the student?s ability to retain and learn using Apple Macs.

Besides talk of the 1:1 initiative, the board also heard from McAllister as he laid out possible ideas for a new superintendent search. With the board?s approval of his retirement at the end of this school year, McAllister suggested that the board begin their search soon.

?By mid-November, I would suggest the board begin the process of looking for a new superintendent,? said McAllister. ?Finding the right search firm to help you may be the best place to begin, and that takes time. Leaving yourselves time to find the right person for the job is very important.?

McAllister also said getting official counts of student numbers and demographics is an important aspect to beginning the search for a superintendent.

Another topic of discussion facing the board was that of three board policies regarding Open Night on Wednesdays, inclement weather policies and board policies regarding the use of school facilities on Sundays ? all of which were discussed during the meeting.

The question of making minor changes to open gym policy on Sundays and during days of inclement weather, as well as policies regarding extra curricular activity practices on Wednesday evenings was tossed around during the meeting. However, due to each policy reading being labeled as a first reading, the board will have to revisit them once again to discuss any changes in more detail.

A slew of personnel items were approved including the resignation of special education associate, Courtney Troutman; and the appointments of special education associates Nathan Mincks; Heidi Hedgecock; Jennifer Graves; Tracy Swanson; and Thelma Watkins. Additional appointments included Joe Butterbaugh as a volunteer middle school football coach; Ben Fry as a volunteer middle school football coach; Jackie Housman as a co-middle school volleyball coach; and Kari McAllister as a TLC-funded PLC leader.

In addition, the board approved the following items:

? Funding for transportation and staff pay during the 6th grade campout

? Contracts for bus maintenance and repair with Tracy?s Truck and Trailer Repair Inc.

? Minor changes to the New London Jr. Baseball Association contract

? High school credit for a student taking Algebra I in 8th grade, per New London Community School District academic policy

The meeting was ended with a reminder that parent-teacher conferences for the middle school and high school will be held on Oct. 13 and Oct. 15, from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The next regular New London School Board meeting will be held on Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., in the New London Community School District Office.