Live Chat: Lacey School Board Meeting, Aug. 20

7:36

 

The meeting is starting a bit late. Still waiting for some of the board members to arrive.

 

 

7:43

 

The board is starting the meeting.

 

7:43

 

The board is approving last month's meeting minutes.

 

 

7:44

 

As well as the private meeting minutes.

 

7:44

 

The board is approving payment of the bills: $5,921,689

 

 

7:45

 

The attorney doesn't have anything to report.

 

7:45

 

Dr. Brower is discussing the Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying. This is the annual hearing for that.

 

 

7:47

 

From July through December, there were 60 investigations in the high school and 20 confirmed incidents. From December on, at the high school there were 41 investigations, 17 confirmed incidents. Brower is going through each school. Information to follow on Lacey Patch.

 

7:47

 

The data satisfies the requirement by law to publicly report the HIB incidents.

 

 

7:47

 

Now onto the Online Learning presentation.

 

7:48

 

The technology committee has met twice so far, Brower said. There are three committee's: one that focuses on the infrastructure, another on Bring Your Own Device, and the last on Online Learning.

 

 

7:50

 

Bruce Friend of Friend Consulting, LLC is also helping with the Online Learning initiative.

 

7:50

 

High School Principal Mr. Handschuch is presenting on the initiative.

 

 

7:51

 

"We're in the electronic age...we need to get on board with that," Handschuch said. Teachers will be assisting the learners with the use of technology tools.

 

7:52

 

Online learning will prepare students for the learning technology of post-secondary study.

 

 

7:52

 

The district would like to offer students an opportunity to learn in an online environment at their own pace. It would allow students flexibility to learn 24/7.

 

7:53

 

Online learning could be used for students who want honors or AP classes that are unavailable during the school day or help resolve scheduling conflicts. It could also help students requiring credit recovery for failed courses as well as enrichment opportunities and offer assistance to homebound students.

 

 

7:55

 

The district is sought community feedback.

 

7:55

 

There were three surveys- for students, parents and staff.

 

 

7:56

 

Calls were made to high school households and teaching staff were emailed the survey link to complete.

 

7:56

 

Surveys are still open. Check the school district's website for participation.

 

 

7:57

 

Survey results so far found from staff that 83 percent of have participated in an online learning experience, 54 percent feel that students would benefit from online learning.

 

7:57

 

For parents- 79 percent feel online learning is moderate to very important for their children's online learning.

 

 

7:58

 

For the students- 93 percent spend most of their time at home on the computer and 93 percent have reported that they never participated in an online course. 42 percent of the students said they would take an online course today. 38 percent would take Italian if offered online.

 

7:59

 

The district's goal is for Lacey staff to be trained to assume the role of online teachers, name it Lacey Township Online Learning Academy, and every graduate will eventually have an online learning experience.

 

8:00

 

Mr. Handschuch said online courses would hold the same academic weight as traditional classroom coursework. Their goal is to introduce online learning to as many students as possible.

 

 

8:01

 

Teaching staff will be trained to assume the online teacher role. Designated staff (guidance, tech support and facilitators) will closely monitor student participation and success online.

 

8:01

 

The school district, currently, won't allow students to take courses that are presently offered at the school. Many foreign languages, humanities, sciences.

 

 

8:02

 

The district is trying to get the initiative rolling in September.

 

8:03

 

The cost per student varies.

 

 

8:03

 

The students won't be charged.

 

8:03

 

They were looking into charging families and upon successful completion, the families would get the money back.

 

 

8:04

 

To garner more support from staff, Handschuch feels the district will need to educate them.

 

8:04

 

The training program for the staff is only two hours.

 

 

8:06

 

Bruce Friend said the students across the country are ready. A lot of work has been done in other states. When students are asked why they haven't taken online courses, they typically state they didn't know it was available to them.

 

8:06

 

There will always be those who are skeptic, he said.

 

 

8:07

 

Right now, the district is looking at one course per student. There will be potential for once that course is completed, they can take another. There's an exception for homebound students.

 

8:08

 

In-house teachers won't be teaching the classes.

 

 

8:09

 

Any thoughts on the initiative?

 

8:11

 

Calls will be made to parents. There will also be a meeting held for parents.

 

 

8:11

 

Students will begin enrolling too in the upcoming months.

 

8:15

 

The district is asking for parents of students to add their email addresses on district forms that will be sent home. That way communication from the district can but done via email in the future.

 

 

8:16

 

Moving onto comments from residents.

 

8:17

 

Gary Vaccaro is seeking clarification the the kindergarten pilot.

 

 

8:17

 

The program is long overdue, he said.

 

8:17

 

Pilot studies are done to determine if the program is going to be successful and beneficial. He said that's a given.

 

 

8:18

 

What is the district trying to look at, he asked.

 

8:18

 

President Jack Martenak said the district is trying to determine how they can do this financially.

 

 

8:19

 

All the kinks will be worked out during the pilot program, he said, such as when will lunch be held.

 

8:19

 

Vaccaro is asking what's next? "I don't think you can offer the pilot program for three or four years."

 

8:19

 

He said they're on a slippery slope, offering a better education to some students and not others.

 

 

8:20

 

Martenak said the district is not sure what's next. The district will evaluate that throughout the school year. In 2006, enrollment went up. Now, enrollment is going down. Many variables have to be looked at.

 

8:21

 

Vaccaro asked if the district plans to launch the program within the district's existing budget.

 

 

8:21

 

Right now, it's only budgeted for one year, Martenak said.

 

8:21

 

"This is a step in the direction we want to head in," he said.

 

 

8:22

 

He said he doesn't think the community will see the kind of referendum they saw seven years ago.

 

8:22

 

Now onto board comments.

 

 

8:25

 

Linda Downing is discussing STEM class offerings as well as the STEM program.

 

8:27

 

District staff have utilized Understanding by Design to develop a STEM curriculum. More to follow on Lacey Patch.

 

 

8:27

 

The Curriculum Committee will discuss the evaluation pilot at their next meeting in September.

 

8:30

 

President Martenak said the building and grounds have been evaluated. There's a painting crew going around to brighten up the schools, some of which haven't been painted since they were built.

 

 

8:31

 

There's new interior lighting in the Mill Pond School. The building and grounds crews have been very busy, he said.

 

8:31

 

The technology project is ahead of schedule. WiFi is going in and computers are being set up.

 

 

8:32

 

Now onto board comments.

 

8:32

 

Comment From tpoc 

When is a 2 % cap not a 2% cap? when the boe the town and the county all increase taxes 2%

 

 

8:34

 

Bruce Carney and Linda Downing are thanking the building and grounds crews as well as the secretaries and transportation; everyone who is getting ready for the school year.

 

8:34

 

Comment From tpoc 

What is the BOE feeling on the ranking of LTHS?

 

 

8:35

 

TPOC, the board plans to hold a public hearing the state's report card and its ranking in the future.

 

8:35

 

Comment From tpoc 

ATTN Bruce and Linda

 

 

8:35

 

Comment From tpoc 

its their job

 

8:36

 

Frank Palino said this school year is going to be exciting.

 

 

8:37

 

Maureen Tirella said every building has something new and exciting going on.

 

8:38

 

Mr. Quist said the Online Learning is exciting and the district will be ahead of the curve. "I've heard a lot of good stuff," he said.

 

 

8:38

 

He also said he's excited about the STEM project.

 

8:38

 

Comment From tpoc 

Glad to hear they are going to have a meeting about LTHS horrible rating perhaps Mr Stardoub could be a guest speaker

 

8:42

 

"These are very exciting times to be in the Lacey Township School District," Martenak said.

 

 

8:42

 

Now onto new business.

 

8:43

 

The board approved professional services contracts, budget transfers and more.

 

 

8:43

 

The board is approving use of facilities.

 

8:44

 

They also just approved Mr. Ed Subokow as Vice Principal of Lacey Middle School.

 

 

8:44

 

His salary will be $86,000.

 

8:45

 

Mr. Subokow is thanking the board for the opportunity. "I'm really excited to avance into the role of middle school principal."

 

 

8:45

 

He was selected by many "fine" candidates, Brower said. "We're thrilled to add you to our team.

 

8:47

 

They're now approving new positions, replacement positions, long term substitute teachers and co-curricular/advisors/stipends.

 

 

8:47

 

They approved co-curricular recommendations, amended hours for summer counselors, resignations, leave of absences, advance degrees and transfers.

 

8:50

 

The meeting is being adjourned. Thanks for joining and enjoy the reset of your night.