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ATWOOD (January 17) — New technology is
coming to classrooms in the West Carroll
school system, members of the school board
were told Thursday Jan. 17. Eric Williams,
director of the West Carroll Special School
District said schools will receive seven or
eight “white boards” that allow teachers to
make multi-media presentations via
computers, cable television and document
cameras.
Students can use electronic “clickers” from
their desks to quickly interact with the
teacher’s discussion. “It gets the students
more involved,” said Eric Williams. “We
think the kids will be very excited about
this.” The new classroom boards will be
installed during spring vacation and paid
for through Title I and Federal Projects
funds. Cost of the new equipment was not
announced. The WCSSD board also approved
bids to upgrade computer equipment at the
primary and elementary schools. New
switching equipment between computers and
servers would be installed and paid for with
“E-rate” funds which could take two years to
acquire.
Bids for the Primary School were $6,044
from MXN and $7241 from Millinnium. The lone
bid for the Elementary School was $8097.04
from Millennium. School systems qualify
for E-rate funding based on economic status
of students – the number of students
receiving free or reduced meals, said Sheila
Brawner, technology coordinator. Last year,
580 students in West Carroll schools, about
58 percent of enrollment, were classified as
“economically disadvantaged.” Eighty percent
of the equipment costs would be reimbursed
to WCSSD, said Ms. Brawner.
Other West Carroll school news
Football coach interviews – Interviews for a
new head football coach at West Carroll High
School began Jan. 18 with candidates
appearing before a four-person panel.
Twenty-five people, including West Carroll
assistant Josh Fronabarger and coaches from
Illinois and other states applied. Eric
Williams asked board members to relate their
concerns about the program. He also asked
the board to support a new coach. “We’ve got
to support them and allow them to be the
coach regardless of who we get; the coach
makes the rules,” said Williams. “Hopefully
we’ll find somebody to take the program to
the next level.” Chris Rich stepped down as
coach after the War Eagles’ 1-9 season in
2007 that included a 68-0 loss to county
rival McKenzie. West Carroll went 4-16 the
last two seasons.
Gym renovations – Because of water damage
to the high school gym, the floor will be
stripped to bare wood, repaired and
resurfaced in March. The school board
reviewed logo designs from the Praters Logo
Athletic Design firm that would be painted
on the court. The board favored a burgundy
“WCHS” emblem at mid-court and two
basketball logos on the floor surrounded by
printed names of West Carroll communities:
Atwood, Cedar Grove, Trezevant,
McLemoresville, Lavinia, Wingo, Terry and
Big Buck. The War Eagle mascot painted on a
wall of the gym may be removed.
New gym chairs - Principal Lex Suite
asked the board to consider replacing 40
chairs used by basketball teams during
games. The estimated cost is $50 per chair.
Chairman Jimmy Halford asked Suite to
provide a formal request with bid prices.
Awnings completed – Protective awnings
have been completed covering school
entranceways and sidewalks.
Christmas gift cards appreciated –
Director Williams and principals expressed
appreciation for Wal-Mart Christmas gift
cards that went to school faculty and staff.
The value of the cards was increased to $100
for full-time faculty and $50 for part-time
staff. Day on the Hill – School board
members are invited to meet with state
legislators during Day on the Hill sessions
hosted by the Tenn. School Boards
Association in Nashville Feb. 26. Eric
Williams said he and other Carroll Co.
superintendents have rotated attending the
event in recent years. School Board
Appreciation – Primary School Principal
Claudia Argo invited board members to a
School Board Appreciation Week lunch at the
Primary School Fri. Jan. 25. Education
Commissioner resigning – Eric Williams
announced that Tenn. Commissioner of
Education Lana Seivers will resign effective
Feb. 1 to take a position in Mississippi.
Williams commended Seivers’ advocacy for
education. “We will miss her considerably;
she got us several things we didn’t have
before,” he said. Next meeting – The WCSSD
board will meet next March 6. No February
meeting is scheduled. |
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