Watauga school board

honors retirees
By Caroline Monday
cmonday@mountaintimes.com

The Watauga County Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 14, for its monthly meeting, where board members recognized two staff members who have recently retired and viewed presentations on the future of technology in education.

Technology and its use in the classroom, both now and in the future, was an overarching theme of the meeting. The superintendent’s report included the viewing of a video called “Did You Know,” which presented many facts and statistics about the current use of technology and predictions about how technology will be used in the future.

The video highlighted how quickly the world is changing and how students need to be prepared to adjust to those changes. It encourages students, educators and parents to make sure their school system is preparing students for a world of such rapid technological change.

“It’s pretty scary to think that we are preparing students for jobs that do not exist today,” superintendent Bobbie Short said in response to the video which can be accessed online at shifthappens.wikispaces.com.

The board then recognized maintenance director John Anderson and associate superintendent Mark Hurst upon their retirement. “He is one of the most gentlemen of gentlemen,” Short said of Anderson. She commended Hurst for his work with the school system saying, “He is the premier example of what an associate superintendent should do and be.”

Former Parkway principal Billie Hicklin is serving as associate superintendent upon Hurst’s retirement.

The meeting’s scheduled curriculum feature brought the focus back to technology as Watauga High School instructional technology facilitator Patty Blanton spoke to the board about the HP Technology and Teaching Leadership Grant Team. The school received this grant from the HP computer company which supplied a team of WHS teachers with tools, training and funding to expand their use of technology in the classroom.

A few ways this grant has allowed the teachers to expand their teaching practices is through class Web sites and blogs, offering online classes, setting up online study sessions and digitally recording lessons, allowing students to review them as podcasts.

Blanton made the presentation using a tablet PC, which was supplied by the grant. This laptop-like computer has a rotating screen which allows a presenter to write and draw on the computer and have what he or she has written show up on a projection. The purchase of 69 more of these computers has been included in the high school’s technology plan.

The meeting’s original agenda included a second reading of the student assignment policy, a piece of policy that has sparked much discussion in the community. Board chair Lowell Younce voted to remove that item from this month’s agenda and the board unanimously voted in agreement.

Younce added an item to the agenda, proposing that the board recommend to the county commissioners a slight change in the design of the new WHS. The current design of the building’s cafeteria facility does not include room for a dish washer.

The reason behind this exclusion involves a plan to use biodegradable plates and eating utensils, which would then be composted and thus save water.

Younce said he felt there was a need for a dish washer for several reasons. The school might want to be able to hold more formal events in which using disposable plates would not be desired or might decide to use the plastic trays and the flatware it already owns. He also pointed out that it would be easier to make the kitchen accessible for a dish washer now, rather than after the school had been completed.

The board approved Younce’s motion to suggest the design changes to the commissioners.

The board and the commissioners will hold a joint meeting on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Watauga County Administration Building.

The board also reminded those in attendance that it is in the process of searching for a new superintendent to take Short’s place upon her retirement at the end of this school year.

The board will advertise the position until Feb. 15, review applications from Feb. 18 to 29 and interview candidates from March 3 to April 1.

The board hopes to announce the new superintendent at the April 14 board meeting.