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M'ville hires full-timevtech director [Norwalk Reflector, Ohio :: ](Norwalk Reflector (OH) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 13--Pg. 14 MONROEVILLE -- Elementary Principal Bob Butler has been receiving a $5,000 stipend to handle the district's technology duties. With Monday's hiring of new full-time district technology director Adam Gerber, this upcoming school year will be the last that Butler receives the stipend. Treasurer Mike Wade said Butler will receive the extra money this year to train Gerber. New Superintendent Ralph Moore praised Gerber's dedication. He said Gerber began working before his Aug. 1 start date and did a "complete overhaul" of the district's supplies -- including things the district might not need anymore and can dispose of. Moore said the district will be able to save money on repairs due to Gerber's inventory. "We're very happy to have Adam," said Moore, who added that even with the addition of Gerber, the district is $11,000 below projected payroll. "I'm just happy to be here. I'm happy to be part of the school's growth," said Geber, who also coaches Monroeville's baseball team. Gerber used to work as a Verizon regional director. Moore said Gerber served as chairman of more than 16 stores, employing more than 100 employees. "This clearly was the best fit for Monroeville," Moore said of Gerber's hiring. In other technology-related news, Moore said the district needs a web page that's user friendly. The company eSchoolView will set up a "catered website" with a look and features that district officials desire, Moore said. Through a mobile application feature, school officials will be able to "instantaneously" post information such as scores at a tournament, Moore said. He added the district will be able to eventually replace the One-Call system, because the new web system will allow texts, email messages and phone calls to be sent to parents and caregivers. Moore said it probably will take a couple months to get the new system "up and running." In the meantime, he's seeking input from teachers, students and parents about reconfigured site. The district qualifies for a 60 percent discount on the price, Moore said. The district also plans on setting up technology that will allow employees to submit forms for purposes such as sick leave electronically. Once a teacher is absent, the technology will allow the information to posted at the North Point Educational Service Center, which will send a substitute. There's a $2,000 set-up fee, with a cost of $3,000 a year. Moore said he spent three years as a principal using the system and it worked well. Also Monday, the board approved the job description of the athletic event manager. The position became necessary after an "entity" that ran junior high athletics ceased to exist. The pay rate will be set at 5.0 on the supplementary salary schedule. In other business, the board: Approved rehiring Kris Burt as a teacher at St. Joseph School and Greg Boltz as an industrial arts teacher. Both had retired. Wade said Burt worked only a couple hours a week. As for Boltz, Wade said it's rare these days to find a certified industrial arts teacher. Approved the payment of $61,848.32 to Huron County Board of DD for salary and benefits for the teacher's aides at Christie Lane School. Accepted, with regret, the resignation of crossing guard Jennifer Beal, who took another job. Accepted the donation of school supplies to the elementary school from The Huron County Department of Job and Family Services. Watched a slide presentation in which junior Sarah Sparks talks about a project she will lead to raise funds for an American flag in the elementary gym. "This will cost the school district absolutely nothing," said Sparks, whose brother, Jason, died while fighting in Iraq. Jason Sparks was a Monroeville graduate. Sparks said she hopes to have the flag installed by Veterans Day. "What a girl," board president Nancy Brown said. "I'm very impressed with the request and the quality of the presentation," Moore said. ___ (c)2014 the Norwalk Reflector (Norwalk, Ohio) Visit the Norwalk Reflector (Norwalk, Ohio) at www.norwalkreflector.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |