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09/30/10
Extracurricular staff positions reflect changing student interests
The list of extracurricular stipends approved by the School Board this month shows a shift in interests and priorities among students.
At their Sept. 14, 2010 meeting the board approved several extracurricular positions new to the school system, many replacing other positions that have outlived their usefulness.
For the Middle School, the board approved an $840 stipend for two staff members to oversee a news-tech crew. "This activity provides a niche for a different dynamic of students," Middle School Principal Steve Connolly wrote in a memo to the board. "We have been unable to support a tech team or a school newspaper due to busy student schedules," Connolly wrote. "But this would possibly provide a different audience that would be intriguing to students."
At the board meeting, Connolly said that the ease of publishing blogs and student writing has caused a drop in the number of students interested in doing a traditional school newspaper. This year however, two staff members proposed the idea of a news team. The team would utilize technologies popular with other clubs, at the same time reaching a different audience with student ideas.
Responding to a question from a board member, Connolly said the new club would start with equipment already at the school, including a Flip video camera, a low-tech camcorder and cameras that are built in to student laptops. "I think it would be a really interesting thing for kids to say, 'I've never tried something like that'," Connolly said. "And who knows? It could spur a career," he said.
Middle School environmental club meets student interest
Also on Sept. 14, the board approved a stipend for the Middle School to staff an environmental club, an extension of a group that met informally last year. "I've been approached by a couple of kids who are interested in doing this, I've been approached by staff as well," Connolly said. "There is an interest, I know that if we put it back out there, we'll get more kids," he said. The school will contribute $240 from its stipend budget to fund one-third of the $720 cost of an advisor. The balance will be funded through grants, and a parent has volunteered to help with coordination.
Donations, streamlining mean savings
In all, the board approved six new extracurricular positions at the Middle School, valued at $4,245.50 but costing the school only $2,830 from its approved stipend budget. The balance is funded through volunteer labor and grants. At the same time the school is saving $5,400 in stipends by streamlining positions on the schools' Student Study Team, a team of instructional-support staff members. The net savings is $2,570.
New 'Senior to Senior' supervisor funded by donation
At the same meeting, the board approved six extracurricular positions at the High School, including a new position overseeing the Senior to Senior Program. The program brings High School students together with senior citizens who may need help with yard work or other needs. The $750 for the position is being donated by a local business, said High School Principal Jeff Shedd.
The $3,600 approved by the board for the remainder of the High School positions is part of the 2010-2011 school budget, validated by voters in June. They include three faculty advisors for the Student Advisory Council, the student government body which Shedd said has "reinvented" itself for 2010-11. The SAC has reorganized into three standing committees, which will meet with representatives from all stakeholder groups, including teachers. |
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