DeLucia, HSE robotics teacher Jeff Wilkins, HSE Superintendant Dr. Allen Bourff, Sam Javed, Mitch Baylen, Sabrina Singh and Mason Swofford
A meeting of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board was held on Dec. 14. All members were in attendance.
This meeting’s Snapshots of Success went to the Hamilton Southeastern Robotics team, the Cyber Royals. The students went before the board to talk about their recent accomplishments in Fargo, N.D. and Bowling Green, Ky. and did a demonstration with their award-winning robot they designed.
Why it matters: The Cyber Royals won several awards at their competitions. In Bowling Green they won Top 10 Robot overall with an all-rookie group, third place in T-Shirt design for their Cyber Royals T-Shirts and placed 17 out of 34 in the Robotics Game. In Fargo, their achievements were even more substantial, winning the gold medal at the Regional Boosting Engineering Science and Technology Robotics competition. The team also received plaques for best engineering design process, best spirit and sportsmanship and most robust machine.
Board members discussed and reviewed an HSE21 elementary 1:1 initiative, granting all elementary students iPads to use throughout their curriculum. Board members watched a video compilation of several HSE teachers that had experimented with elementary students using the devices and taking them home.
Why it matters: Currently, HSE intermediate schools, high schools and faculty are utilizing devices in its curriculum. The school board unanimously approved the elementary 1:1 plan. Elementary schools will begin using the new devices at the start of the 2016 school year.
A general obligations bond of $10 million was discussed with board members for improvements throughout HSE schools. $5 million would be used in upkeep of school lighting systems, HVAC systems and other miscellaneous projects. The other $5 million would be used for technology projects such as upgrading school computers and devices, as well as toward the new elementary 1:1 program.
Why it matters: Board members unanimously approved the general obligations bond. The bond is expected to be paid back within a year but is allowed up to three years for repayment.
