By Jolene Farley
The agenda of the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Monday evening included the purchase of new textbooks.
H-BC uses a schedule called a curriculum review table that indicates when subjects are due to receive new teaching materials.
Last year the teachers for foreign language and math were unaware they were at the top of the schedule to receive new textbooks.
A curriculum review table has now been passed out to all teachers so they know when subjects are up for review.
Elementary principal Kim Grengs presented examples of current textbooks and new textbooks. Some of the current books are very worn with tape holding the binding together.
Purchasing used books is substantially less expensive than purchasing new books, according to Grengs. The problem is locating enough of the same edition of used texts for a full class of students.
Superintendent Knoll said he supports purchasing used texts because staff has all spring and summer to try to locate enough texts.
The board approved purchase of textbooks for seventh- and eighth-grade math, advanced math, Spanish and Minnesota history.
"With the world changing as fast as it is, we
have to keep these up," said Board President Rollie Crawford. "That is what we are here for, to educate children."
In other board business:
-Newly elected School Board officers for the year are Rollie Crawford, chairman; Alan Harnack, vice-chair; Dave Roozenboom, clerk, and Gary Esselink, treasurer.
-The 2000 surveys were mailed out to residents of the district. The data from these surveys will help determine whether or not board members proceed with building plans for new locker rooms and a community fitness center. Board members are also planning a community meeting in February to discuss the plans.
-Board members discussed fuel purchases for the district. Purchases were not equally distributed among area vendors, and Superintendent Knoll said he had asked bus drivers last month to split purchases equitably. The board passed a motion to divide all business equally. If drivers do not follow policy they will pay for fuel out of their own pockets.
-At this time the Hills-Beaver Creek school district has no outstanding special education violations, according to Superintendent Knoll.
-Technology instructor Roger Jackson was present to update the board on the Technology Plan submitted to Children, Families and Learning for the district. CFL requires a plan be submitted before the district can receive $5 per student in e-rate funds.
The plan had to follow the guidelines presented in 60 pages of instructions. "We don't want to be left out of tech funding," said Jackson. "We never know when they will change their ways and give more money."
Jackson also prepared a Self-Evaluation for Staff Use of Technology for the district. The teachers can answer questions to find out how proficient they are in technology and on which areas they need to work.