BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2005

 

 

Members of the Board Curriculum Committee met on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at 6:00 p.m. in Superintendent’s Conference Room A at the Education Center. Present were: Curriculum Committee Members Anthony Villani, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Richard Agretto, director of special education; and Board Members Joseph Craig, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, William Heske, Charlene Koch, Loretta Leeson, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also in attendance were: Michele Kostem, associate superintendent; Dr. William Nelson, director of student services; Eric Smith, supervisor of science; Julie Victory, supervisor of mathematics; George VanDoren, coordinator of English Language Arts; Stanley Majewski, Jr., director of business affairs; and representatives of the press.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR

 

No one requested courtesy of the floor.

 

OPEN FORUM

 

Nothing to report.

 

PROJECT SKILL 21 INITIATIVE UPDATE

 

Mr. Villani introduced students from Broughal, East Hills, Nitschmann, and Northeast Middle Schools who gave presentations on how the laptop initiative has been integrated into their classrooms.

 

Mr. Villani then introduced Mrs. Robin Lutcher, director of information technologies; Mr. Frank Arbushites, supervisor of academic computing; Ms. Evon Zundel, technology integration specialist; and Ms. Maria White, technology integration specialist. They presented a SKILL 21 laptop initiative update and the changes that have taken place within our district. Mrs. Lutcher noted that these students are only a sample of the excellent progress occurring within our district and invited the board to do a walk-through anytime to see all the projects being worked on by our middle school students.

 

Mr. Villani then introduced Dr. Ward Mitchell Cates, coordinator of Lehigh University’s technology-based teacher education program, who is currently doing a study on the impact of the laptop initiative on students, teachers, and principals in our middle schools. Dr. Cates did a PowerPoint presentation and noted that his findings are only preliminary since his study is still in progress.

 

The board inquired as to whether or not the students will soon be allowed to take their laptops home. They also inquired if the administration has considered the possibility of setting up centers in neighborhoods so computers will be available to students if they are not able to take their laptops home. The administration replied that they are looking into both of these items. Mrs. Lutcher also noted that our middle schools have their computers available to students after school until at least 5:00 p.m. on most school days.

 

The board also inquired as to the current cost of the laptop program. The administration noted that so far they have committed the district to $3.5 million over four years.

 

LEHIGH VALLEY REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL RENEWAL AGREEMENT

 

Dr. William Nelson and the district’s solicitor, Mr. Robert Sonnenberg, reviewed a copy of the Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School Renewal Agreement and answered various questions posed by board members. The tentative Agreement will be placed on the agenda for the March 30, 2005, Regular Board Meeting.

 

OTHER

 

Mrs. Leeson inquired as to what the district’s policy is on failure notices for elementary school students. The administration replied that Mr. Villani will report back to her on this matter.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

Minutes Prepared By:

 

 

 

Charlotte L. Zimmerman

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction