Fatima approves tech update in the amount of $108,000

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 2/26/20

Fatima R-3 school board members at their meeting last Wednesday approved the purchase of an additional 518 laptops at a cost of $108,031.36 as part of the district’s technology update.

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Fatima approves tech update in the amount of $108,000

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Fatima R-3 school board members at their meeting last Wednesday approved the purchase of an additional 518 laptops at a cost of $108,031.36 as part of the district’s technology update.

Board member Keith Huhn said the district is in a position at which a decision has to be made in order for the computers to be available next year, but wanted to make sure staff is ready for the new technology.

Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman said staff is ready for the update, but suggested teachers have more professional development to make the most of it.

Superintendent Chuck Woody agreed. “We need to give the teachers the tools to be successful,” he said. “This is a big investment and we need to make sure we’re getting results or we’re wasting money.”

Massman added that these computers will not replace good teaching. “Not every time you walk into a classroom will you see students using their Chrome Books, but that’s okay,” she said. “Some classes will use them more than others, but the bottom line is improving education.”

A total of 355 100E Chrome Books will be purchased for students in grades 2-12. Woody said this is the standard model, and the purchase would give every student in the aforementioned grade levels a laptop. The price is $49,000.

Additionally, the district needs 88 300E models, which are touchscreens, for students in kindergarten through first grade, and 23 for use at the preschool, at a cost of $21,165, and 75 500E units for administrators, librarians and teachers at a cost of $25,535. Chrome Books currently used by staff will be turned in for use in the rotation, should other units be lost or damaged.

Woody said the total cost will include license fees, though cases are not included but will be purchased to help safeguard the laptops. Woody said he will see if local businesses are interested in helping with the cost.

Fatima has 50 older Chrome Books with licenses that will expire in two years, which will be put in the student rotation, with a plan to update the computers. Ten units will be used by the Special Education department and 10 will be used in the Life Skills class, leaving 30 for use as needed.

Woody said for this to work, all laptops must be ordered at the same time, but after that, a rotation for each group could be established.

One option is to sell the computers to seniors who are interested. Another possibility is to sell them back to the company.

* In related news, Woody is working on an update to the policy manual for use of the computers, including discipline for misuse, online registration options and potential fees to help cover the cost of replacements. A full plan will be outlined next month.

In other business, the district is faced with a 10.6% increase in health insurance premiums.

“The last six months have killed us,” said Woody, noting the consortium was in good standing, but at a recent meeting he learned that 10 members had claims of at least $250,000 each, with two people passing away, and others are seeking new insurance.

Woody told the board that if the district assumes the cost increase for next year, that would be roughly $62,000 in additional healthcare costs.

The plan is to share information with staff members and determine the best course of action.

“I know where my gut is telling me where to go,” said Woody. “We’ve been with this consortium for three years. Our old consortium was self-insured, and we were sitting on $13.5 million in the bank when we pulled out. They’re down to about $4 million now, and they’re looking at a 20 percent increase next year, if they can keep the doors open. Schools were getting bills through the year saying they had to pay more. We got out of that consortium correctly.”

Woody added that the district may be able to secure better rates on its own, as opposed to being a member of a consortium, but there is a risk.

“It only takes one person, and then we’re hung out to dry,” he said. “I hate to bring this to you, but we need to look at some options and try to make the best possible decision.”

The matter will be discussed at a March 4 budget workshop.

* Woody told board members they would need specialized training or district staff cannot share some information with them.

The superintendent explained that it has to do with background checks through the Missouri Highway Patrol, the results of which can only be viewed by those with this training.

Human Resources Director Tim Luebbering said after the initial background check is completed, if any employee commits a crime, that information is automatically shared with the school.

An audit last year indicated that board members and administrators should have training.

“Any time we share information with any of you, that’s revealing what the background check says,” said Luebbering.

Training is required every two years, with hard-copy training available each year after the April election for board members. A more in-depth training course is available online and will be taken by administrators.

Board member Coby Holzschuh, a Highway Patrolman, said the information from other states when a felony is committed there is transmitted immediately to Missouri. However, Fatima is not currently set up to access or receive information from outside the state. Luebbering said the plan is to sign up for national reports to rectify that situation.

Board members will begin security training in May.

* Fatima has missed nine days of instruction to inclement weather, and Woody asked the board to approve a make-up day March 9, with a full day May 14 and early release at 11:22 a.m. May 15 will be the last day of school.

* The 2020-21 school calendar was approved, with six make-up days built in, and additional days to be made up if necessary on Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Day), Feb. 15 (Presidents’ Day), March 15 (a non-school day on the calendar), and April 5 (a non-school day on the calendar).

School next fall is scheduled to start Aug. 24, with Christmas break to be held Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, and the last day of school scheduled for May 14.

* One-year contract extensions were offered to High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch, Assistant Principal Mitch Gier, Elementary Principal Melissa Wright, and Curriculum Coordinator Janah Massman.

The board also hired Janet Kloeppel (preschool aide), Steve Schnieders (assistant baseball coach), Josh Kunkleman (assistant soccer coach) and Kurt Strope (junior high track). Also approved were resignations from Speech/Language Therapist Mitzi Wynn and preschool aide Mallory White.

* Bills were approved in the amount of $278,483.17.

* Policy updates were approved as submitted.

REPORTS

Woody said there are more than 20 legislative bills that may impact the district, including the elimination of personal property tax, charter schools and others.

“The personal property tax issue is the hot topic this session,” said Woody. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to run a school without property taxes.”

Woody said he would be at the Capitol to keep an eye on things, and would keep the board updated.

* Senior Citizens’ Day will be held March 19.

High School Principal Sharyl Kelsch told the board the student body has been hit hard with the flu, but attendance has been pretty good at 96.85%, with total enrollment of 514.

* Kelsch is working on setting up summer school, with the hope of offering more courses for students to get ahead, not just remedial courses for students in grades 9-12. She explained that after seeing how it goes with this group, she’ll consider what to do with students in grades 7-8.

Kelsch spoke with students and teachers to determine what courses would be most desired.

Students may only miss one day per semester to earn the credit.

Courses potentially being offered for summer school 2020 (pending a minimum amount of students registering for the course) include the following:

— Seventh- and eighth-grade courses are open to incoming students in their respective grade.

— Health is open to incoming 9-12 grade students

— Physical Education: Semester 1 will include CPR, Boater Safety and Archery. Semester 2 will include fitness testing. This course is open to incoming 9-12 grade students who have not already completed basic PE, and students may take one or both semesters.

— Personal Finance is only open to juniors and seniors in the first semester.

— Computer Animation is open all students in grades 9-12 for one or both semesters

— Dual Credit Speech may be taken by students in grades 11-12 and must be taken in both semesters. Space is limited, so students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis.

— Sociology is open to juniors and seniors.

— Law and You, ACT Prep and Credit Recovery may be taken by students in grades 10-12.

— Drivers Education students must have a learner’s permit, and the course is limited in number.

Forms will be coming out soon.

* A master schedule is being made to fit students and their needs. Scheduling will be happening soon, but students will not be given their schedule until August.

* Possible changes to the honor system are being considered with weighted grades and eighth-grade algebra. This will be discussed more at the March meeting.

Elementary Principal Melissa Wright told the board that a fundraiser for leukemia and lymphoma wrapped up last week, and students have raised more than $1,000 this year. “This is the most we have ever raised,” said Wright.

* Kindergarten screening for next year’s class will be held Feb. 27-28. So far 40 students have signed up.

* Wright is finishing up formative evaluations and walkthroughs so she can begin the summative process. “With having so many snow days this has been a bit of a challenge,” said Wright.

* Students in grades 3-6 will be participating in the annual Knowledge Bowl contests at Lincoln University March 11.

* The PTO was to sponsor a game night Feb. 21.

* Enrollment is currently 260 students, with attendance for the year at 96%.