New 9-12 science books purchased; teacher returning
Chase County Schools board members spent a few dollars last week.
In all, unanimous votes approved purchases of a new grade 9-12 science curriculum, 25 new laptops for teachers, hallway carpeting, an Ironworker machine, a Gallup teacher survey and cement work for a new visitor’s side press box at the football field.
In other action, the board hired former teacher Brandi Dannatt of Imperial to replace first grade teacher Haley Hixson, whose resignation was also approved last week.
The new 9-12 science curriculum will be supplied with textbooks and materials from three different companies at a total cost of $24,677.39.
CCS curriculum coordinator April Lambert told board members this purchase completes the school’s science textbook upgrade for 2022-23.
In March, board members adopted a new 6-8 science curriculum.
Lambert presented copies of the new science textbooks from all three companies with their costs:
McGraw Hill—Biology, anatomy/physiology and earth science, $7,221.15
Savvas—Chemistry and physical science, $6,294.24
Pasco—Physics $8,056 and STEM, $3,106.
Some of the high school science textbooks being used now date back to 2005, Lambert said.
The new ones will all align with state standards, she said.
The current physics textbooks were new in 2017, but Lambert said they are not meeting the needs of students. The science teachers and she believe they are too advanced for high school.
However, she said they will keep them at the school for a potential AP physics class in the future.
Lambert said, next year, middle school students who earn a B or better in science will be able to bypass physical science in high school. It is the hope, then, that students will take a year or more of advanced science classes. Three years of high school science are required to graduate.
Dannatt, a former elementary teacher, is returning to the staff to teach first grade in 2022-23. She was at CCS from 2015-2020, when she taught first, second and fourth grades.
Dannatt earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education K-8 from Chadron State College in 2015, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2019.
Since August, Dannatt has served as co-director of Rainbow Promise Preschool in Imperial.
She’ll replace first grade teacher Hixson, who is moving to a teaching position in Ansley.
Supt. Adam Lambert said CCS has a couple of teaching positions yet to be filled—grade 7-12 English Language Learners and K-6 Title 1.
Other purchases
Twenty-five teachers in grades 7-12 will have new laptops next year, after an 8-0 board vote. That represents half of the staff. The other half will receive new ones later, said Supt. Lambert.
The 13-inch MacBook Air units for the staff have a price of $779 each, for a total of $19,475. CCS has about $14,000 in REAP funds that will be used toward the purchase, he said.
Five of the current 2017 laptops will be kept at the school for backup. The rest will be sold to the teachers or others, Supt. Lambert said.
By the time students and staff return in the fall, several hallways will have new carpet. Board members approved a cost of $35,213 from Samway Floor Covering of McCook for new carpeting to go in several hallways. Carpet squares will be installed, according to the discussion.
Samway’s was the only bid sought. CCS mainenance staff will remove the old carpeting.
The school’s ag shop will have a new Edwards 55-ton Ironworker for its welding and intro to ag classes. The board approved the $17,790 purchase, which includes a connector.
Supt. Lambert said $3,000 to $5,000 in Perkins grant funds CCS receives each year will be used toward the Ironworker purchase.
Next year the CCS building construction class will put up a new crow’s nest/press box on the football field’s visitor side. The board hired Martin Doolittle of Madrid to put in the foundation at a $9,517.44 cost.
The board also approved a $3,000 expense for a Gallup teacher survey that will aid the staff in updating the school’s mission statement and help develop goals.
In her board report, K-6 Principal Becky Odens said the school expects 53 incoming kindergartners in 2022-23. The annual kindergarten roundup will be held April 29.
The board met in closed session for about 25 minutes to discuss personnel and pending litigation.