NEW PARIS — The National Trail Board of Education met Tuesday, Sept. 22 and received reports on the eSpark program, as well as the progress of the high school roof replacement.
Trail’s elementary school teachers have begun training on the eSpark program, an app based program using iPads that the school has implemented since they received a donation to purchase the tablets earlier in the year.
“I have already observed students working in classrooms using other apps we have downloaded. Students seem very engaged and the activities were educational but fun,” said NT Elementary Principal Ed Eales.
The program is expected to allow teachers to easily cater instructions and learning based on each student’s need and abilities.
In other lines of business, the partial roof replacement has been completed. Pending final inspection, the renovation was completed at approximately $5,022 under budget.
The board also acted on and approved several resolutions during the meeting, including the following:
Adoption of an in-state tuition rate of $5,494.46 and an out-of-state tuition rate of $10,658.24; approval of Trail’s FFA chapter to stay overnight at the Best Western South in Shepardsville, Kentucky from Oct. 28-31, as they attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville; approval of CBI students as cafeteria and custodian workers at a rate of $8.10 per hour; approval of a Teacher Leader Stipend that will be funded by the Improving Teacher Quality: Title II-A and Title-I Federal Grants; approval to join the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School funding at the cost of $523 for the school year; approval to renew membership to Southwestern Ohio Instructional Technology Association (total SOITA membership for school year is $836.80); approval to enter into an agreement with the Butler County Educational Service Center to provide one classroom for the purposes of holding Head Start Classes in the classroom, beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016; approval for a Middle School Waiver for Career Technical Education; and approval to enter into an agreement between the Preble County Educational Service Center and the National Trail Local School District to employ one substitute classroom Para-Teacher for the 2015-2016 school year. (Cost to be paid with Title I funds).
In athletics, board members accepted the resignation of Donald Crawley (boys reserve basketball coach) while approving Elizabeth Ayers (seventh and eighth grade track coach) and Mark Hoffman (assistant varsity football coach) to supplemental one-year contracts.
They also hired Carl Grill (assistant seventh and eighth grade track coach) to a one-year contract.
The board also approved the annual appropriations resolution for the 2016 fiscal year at the fund level for all district funds, totaling $13,126,750.63.
National Trail’s regular October meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, Oct. 19 at the district office at 6 p.m.
