District’s grants will put technology in Idaho classes

DAYTON – West Side School Board members learned recently the district has been awarded two significant grants to enhance educational opportunities for students.

By Robert Merrill – Idaho State Journal Correspondent

The Albertson’s Foundation, based in Boise, notified West Side officials recently it was one of 11 districts in eastern Idaho that was awarded an Open Book Initiative or "TOBI" grant.

Superintendent Melvin Beutler said the Albertson’s Foundation set aside $32 million to fund the grants in 11 successful districts.

"West Side’s portion of the funding is unclear at this time. District personnel will attend a meeting with Albertson’s officials within the next few days to review the program," he said.

Beutler told trustees monies from the grant will buy a teacher contract for one and a half years to allow that individual to work exclusively with students in grades four to eight to help bring 90 percent to state reading levels.

"Monies will also fund nine days of in-service education for our teachers to assist them in helping students with reading problems," he said. "It will buy us materials and programs to help parents or guardians work with their children at home. It is very important for parents to read and work with children from birth to age 3 and beyond.

Beutler said the district has also received a $70,000 Enhancing Education Through Technology grant. Funds are available immediately. Corey Simpson, high school technology teacher and computer system coordinator for the district, wrote the federal grant application.

"These monies will allow us to purchase and place two computers in each classroom in grades four through eight. It will also pay for two smart boards for each of those computers; purchase a laptop computer for each teacher in those classes and a palm pilot for each teacher in those grades.

"It will also purchase some software and pay for training," Beutler said.

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