Dallas schools plan for technology grant

DALLAS — School officials are very excited about a grant that will help them create “Classrooms for the Future.”

Before Monday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Frank Galicki and Assistant Superintendent Paul Reinhart presented their plan to use a $263,298 grant from the state Department of Education, an “initiative by Governor Ed Rendell to increase access to and sue of state of the art technology.”

“It is our goal and intention that when we open our new high school in a few years, every student will walk in with a laptop computer,” Galicki said, announcing that the district hopes to purchase 350 laptops for students and teachers with this grant, along with other media supplies.

In addition the grant, the Department of Education will provide $30,000 for a Classrooms for the Future coach. Galicki said the district plans to use that money to pay a substitute, and have a full-time teacher, Sarah Kashatus, take the coach position.

Kashatus said many faculty members are excited about the program, and she thinks this is only the beginning for technology-enhanced learning. “I really think this is the turning point. Hopefully over the next two or three years, you’re going to see this all the time.”

In another presentation, Steve Christian, director of information systems at West Side Area Vocational-Technical High School, gave a presentation on Skyward software, a student information system that the board is looking into.

Christian said the software will provide for better scheduling, student Web access to assignments and lessons, and parent access to children’s grades.

Christian said if five districts purchase the software, Skyward will give a 25 percent discount on the price. Wyoming Valley West has already purchased the software, and West Side Tech is in the process. Christian said Northwest Area and Wyoming Area are also looking into purchasing the product.

Christian told the board it would be looking at an approximate $122,000 total investment for the district. If the board decides to purchase Skyward, Christian said it could go live with the program in September 2008.

• Christopher Plaviak, part-time social studies teacher, 17.5 hours per week, $26.30/hour.

• Wellness Teachers: Angela Lizonitz, Dallas Elementary, $44,448; Roymayne Mosier, Dallas Middle School, $34,978.

• High School coaches: Robert Mahle, assistant football; Laureen Norieka, assistant cheerleading.

• Middle School coaches: Clark Van Orden and Mike Dunn, assistant football; Nicole Bryk, assistant in charge of cheerleading.

• Elementary substitute teachers: Teri Bentler, Kristen Fenstermacher, Bethany Kinney, Melissa Koulik, Mary Macynski, Christine Mellon, Lorie Mikelski, Kaci Pashinski, Kacey Patterson, Jody Puza, Patti Quinnan, Maryann Reino, Laura Rogen, Amanda Spurlin, Jackie Stajewski, Brian Strazdus, Fred Weaver and Joanne Yanchik.

• Substitute teachers: Brian Brown, citizenship; Cherie Gfeller, social studies; Matthew Grotziner, music; Ryan McCleary, math/physics; Kylie Rosencrans, biology; Julie Schaub, special education; Jeff Underwood, health and physical education; Peterlyn Wezt, English.

• Special-needs aides: Geraldine Ricciardi and Renee Novitski, Dallas Elementary, $8.10/hour; Katie Lukon, Dallas Middle School, $8.10/hour; Heidi Osborne, Dallas High School $7.15/hour; Mary Ann Burgio, Milestones, $7.15/hour.