Learn about technology, bullying

In an effort to share information with parents in the Conneaut School District, the Conneaut School District Board of Education, meeting in special work session on January 18, scheduled a March 22, meeting at Linesville High School inviting parents to come in and learn about the technology being used in the district, learn about paperless classrooms, learn about the technology terms used from white boards to sexting and to be updated on the district's efforts to combat bullying.

The meeting, being held in the school's gymatorium, is hoped to be one filled to the hilt, starting at 7 p.m. and to be done by 8:30 p.m. to allow parents to get home and get their children in bed.

Plans are to also do a survey asking parents about other topics they might like to have covered at future meetings.

A goal of the district is to have more parent/taxpayer involvement and to better share information as school directors work to make the best decisions possible for students and taxpayers.

At the Jan. 18, meeting, the directors heard a report from assistant superintendent Jarrin Sperry about the possible use of Facebook to help communicate events and situations with the school district public.

Facebook is a worldwide social network that many are using these days to communicate. Websites are also used but maybe not as much as the growing Facebook.

Conneaut Valley area resident Dot Luckock was present at the work session and spoke to several communication concerns. She praised Edline and the automated call system for 2-hour delays and also noted it used for a couple other events.

She thought the District and school websites could be better used and more events listed. She urged designating someone to keeping the sites updated. Board member David Schaef, in response, noted that it would take designated individuals to keep websites up to date with board member Rick Kelly, saying that perhaps supplemental contracts could be a way to address that. His comment came after Sperry noted an area school district paid someone $5,000 a year with that individual working everyday after school and throughout the summer.

Luckock was concerned there appeared to be no master calendar in the district to avoid conflicts with events scheduled at the same time and parents having to choose events to go to.

One suggestion made was by board member Cheryl Krachkowki televise meetings with Schaef noting it is the cable company who broadcasts PennCREST and Crawford Central meetings. She then suggested the district televise on its website. Two cable companies serve the district-one in the Linesville/Conneaut Lake area and one in the Conneaut Valley area.