Posted on November 10th, 2010 by
Thomas Kennedy
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 both a Regular School Board meeting and a Public Hearing were held. This was the last board meeting before the Organizational meeting and the new board term begins.
At the meeting the Board and public heard a presentation from the architect on the Phase II design of Crystal River High School (CRHS). The Board will be provided designs and options at upcoming meetings and will then proceed with decisions about Phase II of CRHS.
The Board voted to approve the creation of 57 new school student aides, putting two new student aid e s at each of our schools. The stimulus grant is being used to pay for these positions. While these aides are TERM units (meaning that they are on annual [not permanent] contract) this means 57 new employment positions in Citrus County are available. The positions will be posted soon so for those interested, visit http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/departments/personnel/jobposting.htm.
Director of Technology and Information Services, Dr. Mike Geddes gave two presentations. He shared information on 140 additional ELMOs that will placed into our schools and classroom. For those unfamiliar with an ELMO, it is a Document Camera which is the modern equivalent of an overhead projector. These ELMOs are a valuable tool for our classrooms and teachers. Currently, about 56% of our classrooms have ELMOs or document cameras but the goal is to equip more of our classrooms with document cameras.
Dr. Geddes also shared a wonderful grant that Ms. Novak and Mrs. Kozminski at Citrus Springs Middle School are hoping to receive. Part of the grant requirement was to create a unique video about the need for technology in the classrooms. To see this wonderful video click here.
Director of Research & Accountability Patrick Simon provided an update on the 2010 District Improvement and Assistance Plan (DIP). This DIP an overview of the district plan to address academic challenges in our district. The data complied to make the DIP is received from many different standardized and proficiency tests and is further compiled from school’s individual School Improvement Plans (SIP). Both the DIP and the SIP are excellent information for parents and community members to see what strategies our district and schools are using to improve our students learning. CLICK HERE to view district and school improvement plans.
This was Mr. Lou Miele’s last board meeting and he was presented with a plague and several cards and gifts. Many district employees and board members thanked him for his service and commitment to students. I, too, want to thank Mr. Miele for his years of service as an educator and school board member. Mr. Miele loves children and many Citrus County children are all the better because of Mr. Miele’s service. Mr. Miele has always been a gentleman to me in every setting and I have greatly appreciated how kind he has been to me in this transition process.
The next school board meeting will be the annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, November 16th at 4:00pm when I , along with Mrs. Pat Deutschman and Linda Powers, will be sworn to office. Hope you can make it and if you can’t, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
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