Meeting Minutes: $1.9M in Technology Upgrades, Reorganizing the Board and Summer Retirements

Technology Upgrades

Chippewa Valley will upgrade its technology once again with the installation of the IP Video Solution.

The $1,987,730 contract with Sentinel Technologies, Inc., will see wall-mounted CRT TVs removed from every classroom in the district and replaced with a centralized data network that will allow teachers to pull video and television directly from their computers to the classroom's .

In common areas where the CRT TVs are removed, flat screens will be installed.

However, with the removal of the CRT TVs comes the removal of the digital clocks mounted above the sets. Analog clocks, which always show correct time due to their wireless capability, have already been installed in most buildings.

The district will spend an additional $73,638 to finish the installation in Chippewa Valley High School, Dakota, the Chippewa Valley Ninth Grade Center, Wyandot Middle School and Algonquin Middle School.

New Computers for IAM

Almost $150,000 will be spent to purchase 140 computer systems for the International Academy of Macomb.

2011-12 School Board

With the start of the 2011-12 school year only weeks away, the Chippewa Valley Board of Education set about reorganizing itself at a special meeting July 11.

Board leadership will now be as follows:

• President: George Sobah
• Vice President: Denise Aquino
• Treasurer: Julie Fitzgerald
• Secretary: Tammy Reynolds

Sobah, formerly vice president, follows , who passed away earlier this year.

When asked how he plans to follow in Chiodini's footsteps, he replied:

"I know what you mean by following his footsteps, but I see it as a different path, I guess, because I can't even begin to compare with him or try to be who he was. I have a direction I have to follow and hopefully, it is equally as successful as his. I have a lot of respect for Henry and the time he devoted to Chippewa Valley."

The board also voted that Scott Sederlund, assistant superintendent of business and operations, should remain responsible for the investment and management of district funds and that board meetings will continue to be held on the first and third Monday of every month.

Summer Retirements

Three faculty and staff retirements were also recognized at the July 11 meeting.

• Janice Accivatti

Accivatti, herself an alumna of Chippewa Valley, served the district for eight years as a food service worker and a para-professional.

"Janice embraced the challenges of securing her niche as a trusted and valued resource," said Scott Pitts, district director of grant support services. "With the involvement of Seneca teachers and administration, Janice perfected a format for providing support for students determined to be at risk of failure in the core content areas."

• Donna Malburg

A 22-year teacher in the district, Malburg leaves her most recent post as a part-time teacher at Algonquin Middle School.

"I really enjoyed my time here in Chippewa Valley both as a teacher and as a professional, and it is going to be a special part of my life," Malburg said. "I am really looking forward to the next chapter of my life. "

Members of the Algonquin administration said they will most miss her "dedication, hard work and friendly personality."

• Sharon McNeill

McNeill served as an accounts payable clerk in the district for 30 years.

New Superintendent

While the chair order of the board remained the same, there was one notable change to the nameplates set before each member. Emblazoned in white lettering under ' name was Roberts' new title of "Superintendent."

The board officially appointed Roberts to the position during the week of June 20, but recognized his promotion at the July 11 meeting.

A teacher and administrator in the district for more than 30 years, Roberts was the most qualified candidate for the position, said Trustee Frank Bednard.

He added that a search for a replacement superintendent was estimated to cost the district $15,000-$20,000, so by choosing Roberts, not only did the district secure the best candidate, but it also saved money.

MHSAA Membership

The district renewed its membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the period of Aug. 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012.