NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Nathan Jensen and Michelle Mulder brought a website software presentation to the NRHEG school board at its regular meeting Monday, October 21.
They propose switching website portal software to Blackboard from rSchoolToday, the vendor the district is currently using to publish its website.
With the district’s communications and even its educational methods going more to net-based learning, SMART Boards, portable devices such as iPads, and online testing and curriculum management, the district’s technology experts have been looking at the NRHEG website with a critical eye.
Is the current website adequate? The consensus seems to be “no.”
“I really want to be with a ‘go-to’ website,” remarked Supt. Dennis Goodwin.Are people using the website?
Surveys were distributed to 34 staff and faculty members, only 10 of whom responded, Jensen told the board. Of those 10, only six said they used it regularly. Complaints received included “I can’t find anything on our website,” and “It takes too long to look things up.”
Most board members said they use the website to get much of their information, but agreed it was cumbersome and could use some improvement, especially in the area of input, and the tiny drop-down menus are clumsy and tedious.
An on-screen demonstration of how the two vendors compare was accompanied by comment. Mulder told the board adding new items using rSchoolToday was tedious and limited. “It takes three or four steps to do anything,” she said.
Blackboard, however, was not only attractive and easy to use, but it presented a wide-open visitor interface, where popular features were one click away.
“You can add a blog, assignments, and pictures,” Mulder said.
Most Blackboard add-ons are not only easy to use but free of charge. In contrast, all the extras available with rSchoolToday cost extra.
“How much are we paying for what we have now?” John Harrington asked.
“$2,000” was the answer.
Blackboard software carries a higher basic price tag, and adding mobile access will add to the price, bringing it up near Dr. Goodwin’s suggested $5,000 limit. Blackboard, however, is a specialist in mobile apps – not surprisingly, especially for Blackberry.
“Mobile will be more,” said Harrington, “but we need it.”
With students able to access the school’s resources through their iPads or iPhones, interactivity will take a leap forward.
“We want to make (the website) device - independent,” said Goodwin.
No board action was required, though the board voiced their approval of the proposed change.
Paid up
A check to SGN Wendel for $2,508.00 represented the final payment for the newly completed construction.
“The work is all done, and we’ve still come in under our original financial proposal,” Goodwin told the board proudly.
Graduation requirements
Two additions to the NRHEG graduation requirements were approved.
The first stipulates that anyone to graduate with honors must have earned a minimum of 12 semester credits at NRHEG High School prior to graduation honors determination. This, said Goodwin, is to ensure fairness and exclude someone who just enrolled in NRHEG a few months before graduating.
The second addition adds the Accuplacer test to the list of tests approved to meet graduation requirements. The district already accepts ACT, SAT, Compass (Iowa community colleges and some private colleges in Minnesota), and the ASVAB (military). The Accuplacer is the placement test required by all Minnesota community and technical colleges.
Fire and Safety
Goodwin reported that he is bringing in Richard Turner, a consultant from the Institute of Environmental Assessment, to evaluate the districts security, fire, and severe weather procedures. Local police chief Scott Eades is also being consulted and has provided suggestions for how to support students during a lockdown procedure.
Project Based Learning
There are four PBL projects in progress.
Mr. Weber is working with his 9th graders to come up with a new layout for the New Richland Media Center.
“We’re making progress,” said Goodwin.
Mrs. Schumacher and her 11th and 12th grade technology classes are putting together a recommendation for technology for upcoming years.
Mrs. Feist’s 7th graders are working on creating compost from cafeteria waste, working with Mr. Sorum and his Ag classes. There is also a PBL recycling project going on at New Richland and looking to expand to Ellendale.
More access for Ellendale
$8,000 from First National Bank in Ellendale will be used for infrastructure wiring and additional access points. There is also $1,000 left over from the Monsanto grant which will also be used to add more access points to the Ellendale location.
Teachers Master Agreement
The new Master Agreement with Education Minnesota was approved. EM representative Deb Bently thanked the board for a “completely amicable” negotiation process. The new agreement represents a 4.5 percent increase over two years, and two additional days of professional development.
The work day was made flexible. “We’re asking for an eight-hour day,” said Goodwin. “That means someone can come in at 7:45 and leave at 3:45. But we want the teachers to be here at the same time as the students as much as possible.”
There had been “a long list” of rules for absences and scheduling changes.
“I took out the entire list,” said Goodwin. “A few years ago, my best friend was dying, and I received a phone call. I told my principal I had to leave immediately. He said, ‘Go ahead, I’ll cover your class for you.’ I want our principals to have the ability to do that when it’s necessary.”
City Council
A special meeting was set for the purpose of attending the Nov. 12 meeting of the New Richland City Council.
The next regular meeting of the board will be Monday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m. at the New Richland Media Center.