Atchison High school students will replace their textbooks with iPad technology moving forward with their learning.
The USD 409 school board voted unanimously last (Monday) night to accept the one to one iPad initiative for their 535 students in the nine through 12 system, as well as the alternative school.
District Technology Director Donna Knoll has been working to this day of culmination for at least five years.
Knoll RT: :22 OC: “…whole initiative.”
The annual budget for technology upgrades is 98 thousand dollars.
During her presentation, Knoll cited an example of the current Biology textbook used in the high school costing 81 dollars and 49 cents a book, compared to the downloadable application of the same book on the iPad for 14 99.
Knoll wants to purchase the top line of technology for the next four years and hopes to have the iPad3, which has a rumored March release date, in instructors’ hands by the summer and students’ hands by Labor Day.
She also cited the recent announcement by Apple to partner with textbook distributors as an additional means of savings for the district.
The board also continued discussion on whether they should bring a bond proposal to voters.
Board members and officials took a tour of spots of the high school that would be in need of those potential bond monies.
They were given the pitch by Principal Forrest Covey.
Covey first took us to the basement of the high school looking at the family and consumer science room, which he said has constricted class space and outdated items.
He expressed more concern with the art room, which he says posts a negative environment and has hazards.
COVEY ART RT: :45 OC: “…well ventilated.”
Everyone then went through the now enclosed walkway from the school to the eight classroom modular unit that was installed in 1990.
Nearly 40 thousand dollars in minor repairs have occurred since, but Covey says there’s a growing list of major repairs.
COVEY MODULAR RT: :35 OC: “…those problems.”
Covey adds that since the modular unit came from a military base, the bathroom stalls are disproportionate, with only one female stall compared to three urinals and two stalls for the males.
Later in the meeting, the board heard from Springsted’s Tom Calico, who presented scenarios for payment on bonds if a seven, five and three million dollar bond were passed by voters, as well as a scenario if state aid for common ed is taken away by the legislature during this year’s session.
In other action, following a 15 minute executive session, the board terminated the contract of bus driver Cherrie Coady, accepted the retirement resignations of longtime Atchison High School science teachers Rod Heffley and Walt Hare effective the end of the school year, as well as the resignation of 8th grade team leader Lindsay Hodapp.
The board also hired Andrew Purdy as Assistant Middle School Basketball Coach and Anna Weaver as Middle School 8th grade team leader.
The board also recognized Assistant Middle School Principal Chris Case upon being named the state’s KAMSA Assistant Middle School principal of the year.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Local radio group welcomes new GM
Pyle: Kelly to hold ceremonial signings in Brown and Jackson counties
Report of suspicious vehicle leads to meth arrest
Woman arrested in Holton after suspicious activity report
Commission discusses KDOT letter on street lights
Local area flood warnings extended
Injury avoided in Atchison truck rollover
AT&T: Atchison internet outage due to contractor accident
Hiawatha fireworks ban to remain in place
Falls City woman arrested on felony drug charge
KDHE: Residents, pets, told to avoid flooding MO River waters
Bench trial held for man charged in fatal 2022 Jeff Co crash
Flood not expected to reach same levels as 2019
Local firefighters gain from KS insurance funding
Monday rain blamed for Jackson Co semi crash
Missing A-Town teen found safe
Man injured in Leavenworth Co crash
LATEST STORIES
Governor Kelly ceremonially signs tax relief bill in local stops
Missing A-Town teen found safe
Fentanyl near school earns plea from LV man
A safe, sober 4th wanted by officials
Improvements planned at Doniphan County Courthouse
Brown Co Sheriff's Office stats
Report of suspicious vehicle leads to meth arrest
Cooper Nuclear Station celebrates 50 years of generating power
RELATED STORIES
Atchison Co Commission Focuses On Speed Limits
Warnock Lake in Atchison Under Public Health Warning
Auburn School Board Approves Bids
Amelia Earhart Bridge Open to Final Traffic Configuration
One Person Injured in Atchison Wreck
USD 377 to Demolish Two District Buildings
MMA Meet and Greet Hopes to Provide Spark to Atchison Economy
Atchison Co Commission to Talk Transfer Station Privatization