A three-year contract at $148,371.91 per year for a Carnegie Mathematics Program was unanimously approved by the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education at its regular meeting March 12.
The $445,115.73 total covers textbooks, software, comprehensive teacher training, and in-classroom support. The program is for all seventh and eighth grade students and high school students taking geometry, said School Supt. Michael Van Tassel, who added he was an enthusiastic supporter of the program.
He said the payment for the program would come from Title 2A funds and not out of the general budget.
The computers necessary for the program will be those inherited from present Belleville High School classes, since the new BHS will have all new computers.
The Carnegie program was introduced to the board at a workshop session Feb. 20, but it apparently has been somewhat in use since last fall, according to Nicole Crockett, the two-day-a-week mathematics consultant at BHS, who came to the district by way of Wayne County RESA.
She told the board she has been working with Carnegie for five years.
Trustee Sherry Frazier pushed for information on other nearby districts that have used Carnegie successfully and asked about Taylor.
Crockett said Taylor did not use the program “with fidelity” because it didn’t have the computers. She did not mention any other districts.
Board President Martha Toth also said she enthusiastically supported the Carnegie Program.
“I had hoped we could afford it years ago,” Toth said.
“I’ve seen so often districts jump on the bandwagon…” Frazier began and Van Tassel interrupted her.
“It’s not new. It’s not … a flavor of the month. Carnegie Mellon only does math…” Van Tassel said.
“What about Kahn Academy?” Frazier asked, referring to a free educational program described on “60 Minutes”. Crockett said that was by internet only.
Frazier wanted a survey to see how many students have access to computers at home so they could practice there and do homework.
Toth said such a survey was not necessary for approving the program, adding, “We need to get on board.”
Van Tassel said by 2013-14 the district has “to be Common Core,” referring to state standards and Carnegie could get it there.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board:
• Approved a contract with TEL Systems not to exceed $161,186 for a video distribution system for the new BHS, paid with bond funds. The system includes six high-definition video channels, a Video on Demand server, and up to 29, 55” LCD monitors to be installed in all common areas;
• Approved the hiring of Rachel Hatcher as a Title I Social Worker at Elwell Elementary School starting March 19;
• Gave Van Tassel approval to pursue contract negotiations with a latchkey service provider and bring it back to the board for a decision. Diane Kullis, special services supervisor, gave a presentation on the four bids she gathered for outsourcing latchkey programs for the four elementary schools and the 5-6 building. Trustee Scott Russell said, although local daycares charge $5 per hour per child, the low bid to the district is $7 per child per day, “We’re outsourcing and can’t be accused of unfair labor practice”;
• Approved implementation of a Young Fives program for the 2012-13 school year, since the district will get full state funding for the program and it will pay for itself. Kullis pointed out Keystone Academy, “a Van Buren competitor”, will be offering a full day Young Fives program in the fall;
• Approved the first reading of four new board policies required by the state having to do with items that no longer can be bargained: Discipline, Demotion and Discharge of Certified Staff; Staff Evaluation Process; Layoff and Recall; and Teacher Placement;
• Approved the second and final reading of the Anti-Bullying policy as required by the state;
• Approved the Social Studies Assessment and cut scores for the Mi-Access program for mildly cognitively impaired students in the 11th grade, and approved beginning work on a board policy, as required by the state; and
• Went into executive session to discuss Russell’s question on the minutes of the March 7 disciplinary hearing.