Computer software helps students get better grades
Akron Public Schools Board of
Education
By Jeff Gorman
A presentation on career-based intervention (CBI) took place at the March 27 Akron Public Schools (APS) Board of Education meeting.
CBI uses a computer software course called PLATO to help students learn or to get them up to speed after they fail a course.
Firestone High School teacher Steve Avramovich was among the educators who talked about CBI. He said the program helps students in ninth and 10th grades who are floundering in a traditional classroom atmosphere.
The schools also use the software in a “Restart” program. If a student fails Algebra I, he or she can retake the class during or after school using PLATO.
PLATO also is used in summer school, for Advanced Placement classes and to prepare for the ACT.
In other news, Firestone High School students Justin Perry and Ryan Brosnahan talked about their science project, which won the city science fair Feb. 25. Their project involved an alternative fuel source called biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil and alcohol. They will present the project next month at the state science fair.
Also, Karen Dinkins, of the Akron Association of Classified Personnel (AACP), spoke about the stalled negotiations between the union and the school board. The AACP represents clerks, secretaries, operators and data entry personnel.
“We are asking for your negotiating team to return for meaningful bargaining in a timely manner,” she said.
Several union members sat in the crowd wearing buttons that noted the union has been working without a contract for more than 270 days.
Russell Neal, of the Buchtel High School Alumni Association, also spoke at the meeting. He talked about the importance of planning for next year’s dispersal of Central-Hower High School students to Buchtel and North high schools.
“We owe it to this special class of students to make the transition as smooth as possible,” he said.
Board member James Hardy said he recently presented an art project from Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts students to former President Bill Clinton in New York. The artwork, called “Faces of the Future,” contained portraits of several faces on pieces of linoleum.
“He was absolutely delighted,” Hardy said. “Everyone there loved it.”
In other business:
• The Issue No. 1 levy campaign will have a kick-off press conference today, March 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, located on the 17th floor of 1 Cascade Plaza. Issue 1 is a 7.9-mill operating issue that would generate $23 million annually for the APS. More information about the levy is available at the Web site www.forakronschools.com.
• Firestone High School will host an arts event called “Puddles of Paint” March 31 from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Members of the community can work on a collaborative art project led by artists Pat Sargent and Laurel Winters. Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic will kick off the event, which also will honor outstanding Firestone art students. For more information, e-mail inda bg@neo.rr.com.
• Buchtel High School will host a flea market to raise money for the APS levy campaign April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to set up a table is $25.
The Joint Board of Review met before the meeting to discuss the school reconstruction project.
The board approved the contracts for interior remodeling of the gym and classrooms at the Central Learning Center at 400 W. Market St. The individual contracts went to Hunter Chase, of Akron (general construction); S.A. Communale, of Barberton (fire protection); The K Co., of Akron (HVAC); and Sutter Electric, of Akron (electrical work).
The joint board also approved the submission of schematic designs for the Crouse and Robinson community learning centers (CLC), as well as the submission of construction documents for the Betty Jane CLC.
Finally, the joint board approved a contract with Emerald Environmental Inc., of Akron, for asbestos abatement work at Betty Jane. The amount of the contract is $10,650.
The next regular APS board meeting will take place April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, 70 N. Broadway. The joint board will meet at 4 p.m.
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