Baldwin School Board Continues Discussion of iPads and Sale of District Office

Kevin Surbaugh

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The Baldwin USD 348 School District held it's regular monthly meeting on Monday March 20, 2017. On the agenda the board continued its discussion from last month, of the districts annual purchase of iPad's for the incoming Freshman class.
According to Principal Rob McKim, the iPads are used about twice a week in his school. Board member Chad Christie wondered if other options such as Mac-books or Chrome-books would be viable options. McKim advised the board that, "we need to consider  if there is anything the iPads are preventing the district from accomplishing.Superintendent Paul Dorathy suggested the district should see what neighboring school districts are using, but also get input from the staff as well.
Christie felt that with a larger incoming class that this would be the wrong time to make any changes. He felt the board should continue with purchasing ipads this year. The board unanimously agreed, approving the purchase of an estimated 135 new iPads this year allowing outgoing seniors to purchase their current iPads that they have used the past four years. However, they will explore the possibility of switching technology next year.
The board also continued it's multi-month discussion of the proposed sale of the district office and other district owned property. Board member Greg Kruger felt the district should stay put at this time rather then be forced to find something else on a temporary basis, which could end-up costing the district more money. He said, that he felt the board shouldn't sell the office at 700 Chapel until they knew how much it would cost to relocate the offices. The board agreed and discuss it more in the April board meeting.
Board member Sandy Chapman wondered if the district could sell the vacant land in the 500 block of Chapel separately. Which the board concurred was a possibility and decided to proceed in doing so, recognizing they could reject all offers.


In Other Business:

1. Accepted a letter of resignation from board member Nicole Tiller  whose family will be moving to South Carolina. She will continue to serve through the May 17, 2017 board meeting. The board will appoint her replacement after the May meeting in an open session. Tiller was elected to the District 2, Position 1 seat in 2013 and would have been up for re-election in November. Anyone appointed would need to file for election by the June 1, 2017 filing deadline.
   
2. Board President Nick Harris reported that the deadline to file for the school board election is at noon on June 1, 2017.Positions up for election are: District 1, Position 4 currently held by Gregory Kruger; District 2, Position 5 currently held by Nicole Tiller and District 3, Position 6 currently held by Ivan Huntoon.
   See district map below
   
3. Approved a food payment policy.
4. MaKim presented proposed updates to the districts job positions. The board will vote on approving or tweaking the descriptions at next months meeting, after having a chance to review the changes. 
5. Learned that the districts new website should launch in July in time for enrollment in the new school year. The new site will also be mobile friendly.