By Courtney Taylor
news@wbcowqel.com
Technology was at the forefront of Monday’s monthly meeting for the Galion City School District’s Board of Education. The Galion City School District Board of Education voted to renew their contract with Apple and make changes regarding the One to One technology program starting next school year.
Though there was talk of holding an emergency board meeting later in the week, the board ultimately decided renewing the contract was the best course of action and moved to accept it and make changes regarding the One to One technology program starting next school year. Since some of the lower grade levels are still using outdated iPad 1s, and the staff is using models five to seven years old, the board intends to upgrade the models both students and staff are using.
In the past, students had iPads up until the 9th grade, when they then got laptops. Next year, however, students will not receive MacBooks until the 10th grade, and grades 9 and lower will use the iPads.
Superintendent Jim Grubbs hopes to use the technology at Galion schools to help kids outside of Galion City Schools by possibly connecting students from other schools to classes available only at Galion. He said, “With technology, we may now be able to be the learning center to provide those opportunities to other districts.”
Another important order of business conducted at the meeting was to amend the district calendar of the 2016/2017 school year. The board approved adding April 12, 13, and 18 to the list of days students get off for spring break. These days are in addition to the days of April 14 and 17 that were already in the calendar for break days. This is partly for the students, since the district has had only one snow day this school year, and partly for the opportunity of professional development days for staff.
The board has changed its meeting dates to the third Tuesday of every month starting April 2017. The next meeting will be held on April 18.