The Liberty County Board of Education received an update on its upcoming iPad initiative at a scheduled work session Tuesday morning.
Chief Information Officer Dr. Patti Crane informed the board that 498 district teachers received MacBook and iPad training in July. Sessions scheduled for July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 4 will afford 162 remaining teachers opportunities to receive training.
Crane reminded the board of the upcoming Parent Technology Information sessions. Parents of high-school students may attend sessions scheduled at 5 and 7 p.m. July 30, 10 a.m. Aug. 5 and 6 p.m. Aug. 11.
High-school students will receive their iPads during school hours starting Aug. 12-15. Middle-school students are set to receive iPads in late August/early September, and elementary students are slated for iPad distribution starting in late October.
Crane also reminded the board of the parents’ option to purchase iPad insurance for $23. She also informed the board of a deal negotiated with Comcast and CenturyLink that will allow families qualifying for free or reduced lunch to purchase basic Internet access for $9.95 a month.
The board also heard an update from Chief Administrative Officer Jason Rogers regarding a new program called “Principals in the Pipeline,” which looks to maintain a pool of qualified school-principal candidates.
According to Rogers, LCSS administrators developed a curriculum focusing on skills and knowledge that aspiring principals should have depth in. Over the coming school year, program participants will meet monthly to receive instruction on topics ranging from curriculum pacing and monitoring to culture, climate and student discipline.
Rogers said approximately nine assistant principals applied for the program.
In other business, the board approved an out-of-state travel request for Rogers, BoE Chairwoman Lily Baker, Superintendent Dr. Valya Lee and Chief Financial Officer Roger Reese to travel to Washington, D.C., for an impact aid conference Sept. 21-23.
The board also approved a request for a behavior-support teacher to travel Aug. 3-8 to Penn State University to complete course requirements for applied behavior analysis certification, which will allow the teacher to fill a board-certified behavior-analyst position for the district.