| More laptops, new energy savings discussed at April
school board meeting The Lauderdale County Board of
Education voted to begin a partnership with Energy Education,
Inc., to make better use of the system's energy budget, approved
textbooks recommended by the Textbook Adoption Committee,
incorporated more laptops into the schools, and awarded tenure
to teachers at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 13.
Board members listened to a proposal from Glenn Gaines of Energy
Education, Inc., that estimated a 1.2 million savings for the
school system over the seven-year contract with the company.
Gaines guaranteed that the program would not cost the system
additional money in the
budget, and would be funded by savings directly recouped by the
program. Gaines also assured board members that the program is
not one of discomfort, with harsh policies for school
thermostats and students sitting in the dark, but one that will
employ an energy consultant to track and target areas where
there is an opportunity to save money.
Superintendent Phillip Jackson informed board members that he
had spoken with several systems currently under contract with
the company, and that those systems were happy with both the
savings and the service that they received.
“I'm convinced now, at this point, that this is something we
should do, that we must do,” Jackson told members of the board.
“If we hadn't had a mild winter, we'd probably be looking at a
$250,000 deficit.”School board members voted unanimously to
begin the partnership.
Harriet Shelby and Sue Toles of the system's central office
shared with members of the board Components Three and Four of
the TCSPP, the system’s improvement plan, targeting areas where
the system is strong, as well as areas where improvement is
needed. Component Five will be presented to the board at its May
11 meeting, and the system's five-year plan will be submitted to
the state by May 15. “I really applaud the job this staff has
done,” said Jackson. “It's over and beyond our expectations.”
In budget amendments, Jackson informed board members that
several businesses, churches, and private individuals in the
area have donated a total of $15,810 toward the purchase of
laptop computers throughout the system. With the new funds, each
school has received a cart with 15 laptops that can be checked
out by teachers, allowing them to create lesson plans and
projects that allow students first-hand experience with the
system's growing technology program.
Board members also approved the new Superintendent's contract,
and voted to move ahead with the Well Child, Inc., agreement,
pending the approval of the system's liability insurance.
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