by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington school board approved a One-to-one Computer Initiative at the middle school – giving each student a laptop computer to work with during the academic year.

Wellington Superintendent Mark Whitener said the program will start in the fall of 2017 with one middle school class. Additional classes would then be added periodically. The goal is to have all middle school students equipped with a Chromebook by Christmas of 2017. The high school student implementation will start in the fall of 2018.

“We talked about it, planned on it, and now we are about to execute it,” said Angie Ratcliff, Wellington board member. “I want to thank Mr. Whitener for having the vision to put this plan in place. It will be good for students and the community.”

The proposal was approved 6-0. Jason Newberry was not in attendance for the Nov. 10 meeting.

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Resignations and hirings

The board approved the following resignations:

•Austin Treft, Wellington Middle School, assistant basketball;

•Pam Ireland, Wellington Special Education teacher;

•Darla Carroll, WHS ELA teacher;

•Traci Smith, At-risk aide at Washington.

The following hirings were made:

•Evan Keller, WMS eighth grade assistant boys basketball;

•Alisha Dansby, Roving para.

•Samantha Riddle, para Kennedy.

•Allí Wycocki, ESOL para;

•Monique Mayo, roving para;

•Josiah Barkley para, Eisenhower para.

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In other business:

•The board accepted a gift of $59,000 from Kansas Star Casino to be used for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math purchases.

•Assistant Superintendent Brad Morris reported the total revenue for the new food service program is up $12,000 over the previous year. He said revenue is up despite a refrigerator compressor at the middle school going out and losing several food items. Morris said he is applying for a $40,000 grant to purchase ovens and dish washers in the Wellington Middle School. Overall, student participation in both breakfast and lunch has gone up.

•Morris said construction of the safety and security project is largely finished. However, there are still small items left to be completed. The electronic doors at the high school are having issues with opening and closing. Also, there needs to be fill dirt placed around the new sidewalks at the middle school as well as carpet installation in the district office.

The school district is also negotiating with roofing company Martin Roofing Co. Inc. in Wichita to take care of the leaks that have been occurring around the WHS auditorium area.

•Whitener presented a draft of the five-year strategic facility plan which will include:

– Replacing the WHS roof;

– making playgrounds ADA accessible;

– replacing bleachers at the WMS track

– replacing restrooms at the WMS track;

– replacing parking lot lights at WMS.

•Whitener presented a staffing model for the technology department for the 2017-18 school year. The plan includes adding a technology/curriculum integration director and a technology instructional integration specialists.

•The board went into executive session for Superintendent evaluation. No action was taken thereafter.

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