Madison-Plains students adapting to iPad usage

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

They are $600 technical devices in the hands of junior school students. But iPads in the hands of Madison-Plains students is proving to be a good match so far, junior high principal Kimberly LeGault told the Madison-Plains Board of Education (BOE) Tuesday evening, Oct. 16.

LeGault said the iPad’s diversity and ability to expedite lessons are, thus far, proving to be of value to students and teachers alike. The devices are used throughout the curriculum from downloading entire books for history to creating pottery. LeGault said a poster-making art project which, through ordinary means would have taken two days, took 20 minutes on the iPad.

The devices have elaborate security and tracking devices built in so each can be tracked. One was reported “missing,” but it was located due to the security system. If the security program is deleted, it triggers sending an e-mail to school officials.

“And we’ll have that conversation,” LeGault said.

LeGault said students are “engaging them” as a means to enhance their learning.

“We’re preparing kids to be ahead of the learning curve,” she said.

In his treasurer’s report, Tim Dettwiller said a negotiated agreement with the union will bring about savings on insurance costs through 2016 in the amount of $700,000.

Dettwiller said the union worked with the district on “cost containment.” Part of the agreement involves accepting a higher deductible. But that will lower premiums. The savings there will pay for gap insurance for participants.

Dettwiller said the health of the five-year forecast was dependent on passage of the renewal of the current operating levy. Success of the 10-year plan will be dependent on passage of an eight-mill replacement levy.

Madison-Plains Board of Education accepted the bid of $31,000 for its Midway school, which was auctioned Saturday, Oct. 13. It also accepted the $12,000 for the second lot for a total of $43,000.

The BOE also approved:

• revised administrative salary schedules

• revised exempt wage and salary schedules

• numerous personnel additions, employment and a resignation for retirement

• numerous academic and athletic supplemental contracts

• inter-institutional agreements between the district and Wilmington College and Clark State for agricultural education programs.

The BOE also recognized recent retirees from the district. They included: principal, Madeline Holt; teachers, Dustin Deyo and Chonita Warner; and drivers, Don Eberhart and Mary Knopp.