Students at Jefferson Elementary School will have notebook computers to enhance their educational journeys, thanks to fundraising efforts of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization.
Principal Brad Crusinbery recommended Monday night purchase of 40 small hand-held computers and two charging carts from Government Connection for $13,738.25, with a one-year warranty. CDI Computers bid $17,786 and with a three-year warranty, but Crusinbery said the warranty wasn’t worth the difference in cost.
The PTO will reimburse the district “with money we’ve raised the past couple of years,” said Mandy Middleton, PTO representative. She said Friday’s school carnival raised $5,900, including “$5,300 from raffle tickets the kids sold.”
BOARD MEMBERS did not act on a request from Jennifer Jones, Iola High speech and drama teacher, to hire a second assistant forensics coach.
Iolan Richard Spencer, noted for his expertise in directing Iola Community Theatre and IHS plays, is an assistant. Jones proposed Regina Heier, who helped with the team as a student teacher last year, as a second assistant.
“She thoroughly enjoys forensics and … was a double state champion in forensics, was an assistant coach at Colby High School and has judged at the state speech championships,” Jones wrote in her request.
Board members said they would review the need for a second assistant when the forensics season started later in the school year.
Following a 15-minute executive session, they approved early graduation at the end of the first semester for Chelsea Holman.
They also learned that a Ford Motor Company promotion, in which IHS cheerleaders worked with Iola’s Twin Motors, netted $2,880. The donation was determined by the number of people who took test drives of cars Sept. 11. The cheerleaders were on hand at the dealership to encourage those who participated.
