Warsaw School Board Considers Math Computer Programs
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
During the work session, a proposal to provide intelligent adaptative computer-based math programs to all students in the corporation was discussed.
Warsaw Community Schools Chief Academics Officer David Hoffer presented information to the board along with several math teachers.
The proposal would be a three-tiered one where kindergarteners through third-graders would use a program called DreamBox.
Fourth through sixth graders would use Appangea and seventh through 12th graders would use Aleks.
“We want all eight of the schools on the same page,” said Hoffert.
Some schools had used the programs and Hoffert showed that the schools that did had higher ISTEP scores in math.
Last year was the first year all middle school students had a chance to work with Aleks.
Both middle schools have passing ISTEP math rates of 80 percent or higher.
Hoffert said the programs do come with a hefty price tag but that 1/8 of the elementary school cost would be offset by a grant for Washington Elementary’s new STEM academy.
Board member Deb Wiggins expressed concern that children without access to computers or internet at home might not be afforded the same chance to use the program.
Hoffert said that each student would be issued a license to use the program. Therefore, a student could use it at home, at school, at a relative’s house or even the library.
The only requirements for these programs is that they run the common software Flash.
Since Tuesday was just a work session, no action was taken on the proposal.
Another proposal the board heard was for building a cross country course on land purchased across Logan Street from Warsaw Community High School.
The 31.7-acre tract of land would make for an ideal cross country course according to coach Scott Erba and WCHS Athletic Director Dave Anson.
The two presented a plan to turn the land into a course. They outlined several improvements that would need to be made to the property.
Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz asked Anson to come back with proposals and quotes on the course.
After the work session adjourned, Warsaw’s Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott went over the budget process with the school board.
The budget must be finalized by the Monday board meeting.
A budget hearing will be held Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. and it will be adopted on Sept. 19.
Scott said that once again the budget was done in a conservative manner.
At this rate, the 2012 budget will come in about three percent under what it was listed as.
The corporation is expecting an increase of 150 students district-wide.
If that is the case, funding from the state will increase $1,693,994 over 2012.
If student enrollment is flat, funding will still increase $853,594 to $41,941,175.
Funding per student increases in 2013 from $5,325 to $5,480.
Scott said that he used a conservatively low assessed valuation for funds that come from property taxes.
A lower AV means a higher tax rate for advertisement purposes.
Utilities are up for 2013 by a net of $64,715 though gas is down, said Scott.
Scott also said he expects that the bus replacement cycle will have to be longer than its current 12-year iteration.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
He can be reached at 574-267-3111, ext. 246.[[In-content Ad]]
During the work session, a proposal to provide intelligent adaptative computer-based math programs to all students in the corporation was discussed.
Warsaw Community Schools Chief Academics Officer David Hoffer presented information to the board along with several math teachers.
The proposal would be a three-tiered one where kindergarteners through third-graders would use a program called DreamBox.
Fourth through sixth graders would use Appangea and seventh through 12th graders would use Aleks.
“We want all eight of the schools on the same page,” said Hoffert.
Some schools had used the programs and Hoffert showed that the schools that did had higher ISTEP scores in math.
Last year was the first year all middle school students had a chance to work with Aleks.
Both middle schools have passing ISTEP math rates of 80 percent or higher.
Hoffert said the programs do come with a hefty price tag but that 1/8 of the elementary school cost would be offset by a grant for Washington Elementary’s new STEM academy.
Board member Deb Wiggins expressed concern that children without access to computers or internet at home might not be afforded the same chance to use the program.
Hoffert said that each student would be issued a license to use the program. Therefore, a student could use it at home, at school, at a relative’s house or even the library.
The only requirements for these programs is that they run the common software Flash.
Since Tuesday was just a work session, no action was taken on the proposal.
Another proposal the board heard was for building a cross country course on land purchased across Logan Street from Warsaw Community High School.
The 31.7-acre tract of land would make for an ideal cross country course according to coach Scott Erba and WCHS Athletic Director Dave Anson.
The two presented a plan to turn the land into a course. They outlined several improvements that would need to be made to the property.
Warsaw Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz asked Anson to come back with proposals and quotes on the course.
After the work session adjourned, Warsaw’s Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott went over the budget process with the school board.
The budget must be finalized by the Monday board meeting.
A budget hearing will be held Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. and it will be adopted on Sept. 19.
Scott said that once again the budget was done in a conservative manner.
At this rate, the 2012 budget will come in about three percent under what it was listed as.
The corporation is expecting an increase of 150 students district-wide.
If that is the case, funding from the state will increase $1,693,994 over 2012.
If student enrollment is flat, funding will still increase $853,594 to $41,941,175.
Funding per student increases in 2013 from $5,325 to $5,480.
Scott said that he used a conservatively low assessed valuation for funds that come from property taxes.
A lower AV means a higher tax rate for advertisement purposes.
Utilities are up for 2013 by a net of $64,715 though gas is down, said Scott.
Scott also said he expects that the bus replacement cycle will have to be longer than its current 12-year iteration.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
He can be reached at 574-267-3111, ext. 246.[[In-content Ad]]
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