Continued investments in technology and construction projects gained support from members of the Crawfordsville School Board on Thursday.
The board voted to approve a technology advance in the amount of $105,000 from the Common School Fund to purchase Chromebooks and licensing to replenish its 1:1 program at the high school. The loan will supplement other funds earmarked for technology purchases.
“The renewal of student-centered software and backup software will help us to better protect student devices and allow our technology team to manage the program with more efficiency,” Superintendent Rex Ryker reported.
The board also approved a loan of $212,500 from the Common School Fund to assist with many projects related to the renovation and expansion of the current preschool program and the district’s intention to offer employer-sponsored childcare at Willson Preschool Academy.
Projects to be completed with these funds include asbestos removal in the gymnasium, replacing carpet in the classrooms and office suite, renovating a classroom to offer childcare for infants and toddlers, upgrading the kitchen and upgrading the electrical system throughout the building.
“These projects will allow us to provide care to the youngest students that we have at CCSC, improve the quality of student life and help provide additional benefits to our staff in the form of childcare,” Ryker said.
In personnel matters, the board approved the retirement of Christopher Ervin, CHS social studies teacher, who taught for 32 years, and the retirement of Steve Spencer, Hoover fourth grade teacher, who taught for 34 years.
The board accepted the resignations of Joyce Musselman, Hoover life skills aide; Jared Kaminski, CHS science teacher; Jill Cocanower, Nicholson principal; Karen Crawford, CARA instructor; and Han Truon, CHS math teacher. The employment of Emily Brown as Hoover music teacher and Edward Sieferman as a CHS science teacher were approved.
In other business, the board:
• Approved an international travel opportunity for students in 2026. The proposed trip to the Mediterranean coast will be open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Gave approval to the CHS, CMS and substitute handbooks.
• Accepted a resolution that provides board members compensation of $150 per meeting.
• Learned Tami Haas and Jen Hall have completed their first year of the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute.
• Learned ILEARN testing begins Monday and will continue through May 10. Grades 3-8 will be testing in math and language arts and grades 4 and 6 also will be testing in science and grade 5 also will test in social studies.
• Learned the Montgomery County Early Childhood Coalition and CHS will host a family fun day April 20. The event includes free games, activities, music and snacks. The first 100 families will receive swag bags. PBS Kids’ Daniel the Tiger and Athenian mascot, Alexander, will make appearances.
• Were reminded that the League of Women Voters will host a literacy panel in the commons at CHS on April 16.
The next board meeting will be 5:30 p.m. May 7 at Nicholson Elementary School.
