The Boone County Board of Education met in regular session on May 5, at the Operations Complex, Foster.

The meeting began with a presentation by Sam Kalbaugh, a spokesperson for NEOLA, Inc., an organization that helps boards of education update and streamline their county school policies.

Board members listened as Kalbaugh outlined the benefits of uploading one cohesive and updated school policy handbook onto the B.O.E. web site.

“As a former Superintendent, I can tell you that it is important to have an updated school policies manual. If you have 20 different schools in Boone County, you’ll probably have 20 different policy manuals,” he said.

Kalbaugh told board members that his company reviews school board policies, making their jobs easier. “Anytime I would make a decision as a school board superintendent, I checked the policy first,” he explained.

“Also, if the general public out there has the policy, they are more apt to follow it,” Kalbaugh said.

According to Kalbaugh, another idea for board members to consider is posting permission slips on their web site so parents can download these forms in the case that their son or daughter loses the one sent home by their teachers.

The estimated cost of such services is $23,250 for the initial set up and fees, which can be spread out over 3 years, according to Kalbaugh.

Board members made no decision on the presentation, although Board of Education president Bobby Hale commented, “If we do this, I’d like to get started on it by July 1.”

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In other news, the board discussed the possibility of matching funds given to Ramage Elementary School. CSX railroad has given a $1500 grant for the school to purchase playground equipment.

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Assistant Superintendent of Schools Lisa Beck, announced the 2009 Teacher of the Year as Scott High School teacher Linda Amar, who teaches Special Education at the high school.

“The committee was impressed with the way she uses technology in the classroom and her dedication to the teaching profession in going back to further her education,” Beck told board members.

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Technology in Boone County’s classrooms took a major leap forward with the news that the Government Services Agency will provide Boone County with refurbished and free “give away” computers every three months.

Typically, a computer teacher and an technical assistant take an annual trip to Washington D.C. to participate in the program. This year, the teachers were able to secure 84 CPUs, 25 monitors, 15 laptops, 10 laptop bags and 25 keyboards. In all, the equipment was valued at $90,000 and cost the Boone County B.O.E. the cost of gas and one night’s lodging for the two teachers.

The B.O.E. has agreed to increase the number of trips to D.C. from one per year to three times a year, in an effort to bring back more technology for the area schools.

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Also up for discussion at the May 5 meeting, board members discussed whether or not to hold a “Welcome Back Breakfast” for teachers and staff preceding the 2009-10 school year.

“At the request of Mr. Tagliente, I conducted a survey of the teachers and staff as to whether or not they would like to participate in the breakfast. It is split, 50-50,” she said.

Scott High School English teacher Mrs. Rouse was in attendance at the meeting and voiced her opinion on the subject, “I think it is great for new employees to be greeted and see the faces of the board members. It really integrates them into the new school system.”

“As a mentor for a new teacher, the value to see the board members is great. There’s something rewarding about being able to share with our fellow professional teachers,” she said.