Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School sixth grade teacher Travis Rohrig demonstrated the use of technology in the classroom to board members at the regular meeting held on Wednesday, October 14. According to Rohrig, technology improves the motivation and test scores of the students as well as improves instruction, often decreasing the time it takes to prepare lessons.

Rohrig received a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for $6200 that was used to enhance the current curriculum for math and science, as well as other areas. Equipment such as an interactive white board screen, DVD, VCR player, projector and speakers are used daily during lectures.

As part of the pilot program for the Math Connects textbook, students will take tests online and receive instant feedback and scores. This enables Rohrig to immediately address any weak areas the students may have and provide additional instruction in these areas.

Currently, Rohrig is the only teacher at the elementary to have these capabilities. According to Rohrig, this type of technology in the classroom is a pilot program for JCD as well as the RSRF’s granting program.

Elementary Principal Leanna Phillippe told the board that tutoring those students with low testing scores will begin on November 2 and will run for 11 weeks with two sessions per week. Acuity testing will be used to determine those students who will need additional instruction.

In other business:

• The June 2010 Spanish Club trip to Spain was unanimously approved.

• Superintendent Bill Narwold announced that the school website has been updated with menus for both schools each month; the elementary school newsletter available each week; and the athletic schedule updated as needed.

• The school budget was approved as advertised. Narwold noted that the funds in the debt service fund, anticipated for payment of the qualified construction loan that was later denied, will not be charged to the public. Notification was sent to the Department of Local Government and Finance explaining the situation.

• A 1028 meeting will be held as part of the regular board meeting on Wednesday, November 18 beginning at 6 p.m.

• The retirement request of Marilyn Duncan, elementary teacher, was unanimously approved. The request to employ Jamie Webber as cook assistant was approved. The maternity leave of Sarah Giesel was approved.

All board members were in attendance, along with corporation attorney Tim Day to advise. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18 beginning at 6 p.m. at the high school cafeteria.