The Oregon-Davis School Board members approved a three-year technology plan during their regular meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Greg Briles said a computer will be in the hands of every student.
“We’re looking at putting iPad Minis in our Kindergarten through second grade students’ hands, full-sized iPads for three through eight and laptops for nine through twelve students. In doing so, we will also have portable labs with the full-size computer laptops for the students to utilize if they need to for testing and other activities throughout the school year,” explained Briles.
The Oregon-Davis School Board approved the purchase of buses through the Central Indiana Service Center during their meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Greg Briles said the board approved the purchase of two buses.
“We will be purchasing a new bus and then we are also going to be looking at the possibility of purchasing a one year off-lease bus in order to stay within our funding formula that the state has given us for bus replacement,” said Briles.
The Oregon-Davis School Board recently hosted a community meeting to inform parents, students and community members about the technology plan, what’s happening in the future in the junior/senior high school and about the balanced calendar.
Greg BrilesThe Oregon-Davis School Board members discussed when to make up the final missed day of instruction due to inclement weather.
Superintendent Greg Briles said the teacher’s association agreed to add the day to the end of the school calendar and the board approved that recommendation.
“March 12, the day that we missed, will be made up on June 4 which will be finals day and the last day for students,” explained Briles. “Our teachers’ last day will be June 5 and graduation will be Friday, June 6.”
Briles added that this solution would best fit the corporation out of all of the options made available by the state.
Greg BrilesA community meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12 to inform the Oregon-Davis school community about several items of interest.
According to Superintendent Greg Briles, the future of technology will be discussed along with next year’s scheduling in the Junior/Senior High School and Elementary School. The pros and cons of a balanced calendar will also be brought forth during this meeting.
Greg BrilesThe winter season has caused school corporations to cancel several days of school since Jan.1. School boards are weighing their options in how to make up those lost days.
The Oregon-Davis School Board discussed this very topic and Superintendent Greg Briles said some days will need to be added to the end of the school calendar.
“We did have school on Monday, Feb 17 but we missed on Feb. 18, unfortunately, so we’re going to add three days to the end of the school year,” explained Briles. “We’re going to be going to school on Friday, May 30; Monday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 3. The last day for students will be June 3, teacher record’s day will be June 4 and graduation will be June 6 at this present time.”
Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Greg Briles indicated that the start of 2014 has been a little hectic with the weather, but it’s been productive for the students and staff as they settle into the second semester.
The school board met in special session Monday afternoon to reorganize for the new year. Briles said there were no changes made in the makeup of the board.
Greg BrilesGreg Briles can remove the “interim” from his title at Oregon-Davis Schools. The board voted Monday night to hire him as the superintendent permanently. Briles taught for many years at O-D and replaced Dr. Steven Disney in the front office when he left to take a college faculty position. He tells WKVI news that he’s striving for transparency in the way the corporation is run and says the students at Oregon-Davis are his number one priority.
Greg BrilesThe Oregon-Davis School Board discussed the donation of a property back to the township in Hamlet.
Interim Superintendent Greg Briles stated that the property would be used for an upcoming project proposed by the Hamlet Fire Department.
“We’ve been working on the transfer of property in Hamlet, where the elementary school previously sat, back to the township so they would have the capabilities of potentially building a new fire station,” explained Briles.
This was one of the goals set forth the school board at the beginning of the year so this project could move along.
The paperwork for the transfer of property will be officially complete and that project should be wrapped up at the school board’s next meeting on Dec. 16.
Greg BrilesThe Oregon-Davis School Board met in a special session Monday night where the board members approved the 2014 budget. The budget includes the general fund, three-year capital projects plan, the transportation plan and other funds.
Oregon-Davis Interim Superintendent Greg Briles said the budget will now be sent to the Department of Local Government Finance where it will be reviewed. The budget will come back with no changes or cuts that need to be made.
Greg BrilesThe ISTEP+ results were released to schools this week and Interim Superintendent Greg Briles said in a preliminary review that the Oregon-Davis students did fairly well.
“I’m very pleased that through all of the adversity the students in our elementary performed exceptionally well and our junior high students performed average,” said Briles. “As the same with the elementary school, there’s always room for improvement.”
Greg BrilesThe Oregon-Davis School Board approved a contract with Elementary Principal William Bennett Monday night.
Interim Superintendent Greg Briles explained that the board was happy to renew the contract with Bennett.
“It was a rollover that had been put off last year in the midst of everything that was going on,” said Briles. “We’re very excited about Mr. Bennett continuing to be our elementary principal. He’s done an excellent job in the past three years that he’s been here. We look forward to bigger and better things in the future.”
Greg BrilesA community hog roast will be held today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Oregon-Davis School campus.
Interim Superintendent Greg Briles stated that this is free event for the community and several tents will be set up in the parking lot so parents or any resident can learn more about the school and activities.
Dr. Tony BennettTony Bennett resigned from his position as Florida’s Education Commissioner Thursday amid an Associated Press report that revealed he had changed the grade of Christel House, a charter school run by major Republican donor Christel DeHaan, while in Indiana. In resigning, he denied any wrongdoing.
Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman said it was a sad day for education and for Bennett and his family.
“It’s a very sad day educationally when the chief educational officer gets involved in the political arena and it basically cost him his job,” stated Klitzman. “Education has its goals and aspirations and politics has a purpose and a role. They’re not together and I think that why in recent years in Indiana, and continually I might add, we’re going down that path that I think is the wrong path for student learning and what our mission is in education.”
Oregon-Davis Interim Superintendent Greg Briles offered this statement:
“I am concerned that the system his administration has put into place for Indiana schools is flawed and needs an overhaul,” stated Briles. “I am confident that the current administration will take a serious look at the A-F system and make the changes necessary for Indiana schools to hold their heads high. Our communities have great parents, students, teachers, administrators and community members that want the schools they represent treated fairly and given the respect they deserve for the efforts being put forth by everyone.”
Republican Governor Mike Pence has urged the Indiana Department of Education to complete a thorough and timely review of the questions surrounding the 2011-12 A-F letter grades and report its findings at the next State Board of Education meeting in August.
The Oregon-Davis School Board members approved a three-year technology plan during their regular meeting Monday night.
