Washington County Schools buy Swipe system

CHIPLEY – Insuring better attendance and attendance accuracy, the Washington County School Board approved purchasing the Swipe Automated Attendance Tracking System during their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 11.

According to the purchase order to WebIDcard, Inc., “Swipe combines the accessibility of the Internet with powerful data collection and monitoring equipment located at the school. Students ‘swipe’ bar-coded ID cards or smart card tags and the system instantly records the time of entry or exit. This data synchronizes continuously with the Swipe website, providing school personnel and parents with an accurate account of students throughout the school day.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sandra Cook explained they were going to use a finger based system that will keep track of student’s attendance and allow parents the opportunity to receive free notifications of when their children arrived at school.

“It’s not a fingerprint system, but there are specific points on a finger that are targeted and that specific pattern will create a 16 to 20 digit number that will be unique to each child from the time they start kindergarten to the time they graduate from high school,” said Cook. “It will help keep consistent attendance, cut truancy and cuts down tardiness.”

Cook explained that parents could also apply free of charge to receive text message or email alerts of their children’s arrival at school.

“Now parents can have peace of mind knowing where their children are,” said Cook. “We’re hoping to share more information with parents at the Open House before school starts.”

Next year will be the first trial run of the system. A demonstration for high school freshmen at Chipley High School was conducted during the 2010-2011 school year.

“If it all works well we’ll look into getting into some kind of long term contract,” said Cook.

Students from Chipley High School’s Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) club visited the school board and presented each of the school board members with a certificate of appreciation for all of the support they’ve shown.

Also Approved:

Consent Items
Pay monthly bills, Financial Report and Budget Amendments; minutes for Regular Board Meeting and Student Hearing for June 13; substitutes/volunteers; contract between Washington County School District (WCSD) and Holmes and Washington County Jail; Student Handbook, School Catalog and Tuition and Fees Schedule for Washington-Holmes Technical Center (WHTC) for 2011-2012; results of Petroleum Product Bids 10-09; Local Wellness Policy; Title I, Basic project application and Public School Choice; Title II, Principal/Teacher Training; Title VI, Rural and Low Income School Programs; contract with Susan Hudson, School Psychologist and Fred Schnepel, Psychological Services effective July 1, 2011; contract with Independent Training for the Blind; Performance Contract for School Health Services; Perkins Allocation for Rural and Sparsely Populated Areas Counties Agreement for 2011-2012; purchase order for paper products for 2011-2012 school year; and to enter into a contract with PAYredi (online payment system).

Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) Recommendations
Contracts and Agreements: Supplemental Education Services Contract with Calhoun, Franklin, FSUS, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington Districts; Rapid Solutions Group, Inc. Amendment; Children’s Champions; Student Accident Network (Florida Student Athletic Network); PAEC Franchise Agreement with Calhoun, Franklin, FSUS, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington Districts; Bay County School Board; Judy Riera; FDLRS/TECH budget amendment; Human Resources/Personnel: recommendations for Resource Specialist II, Title I Monitoring, effective July 12, 2011; and Purchase Orders: PAEC 77793.

Human Resources for the District

District: Approval of transfer of Kim Galbreath for Roulhac Middle to Vernon Elementary School, July 1, 2011; Kevin Schull, computer updates at hourly rate effective July 1, 2011 for no more than 37.5 hours; transfer of Samuel Cox to Teacher on Special Assignment at Washington Institute for Specialized Education (WISE), effective July 1, 2011; summer hours for Teacher on Special Assignment at WISE, 37.5 hours would be prior to school beginning on August 12, 2011; and 75 summer hours for Bruce Mathis effective June 20, 2011 through July 1, 2011.

Chipley High School: hiring Michelle Curts, Agricultural Teacher, effective August 12, 2011, pending pre-screening requirements.

Kate M. Smith Elementary School: transfer of Casey Morel from Vernon Elementary School to Kate Smith Elementary School effective August 12, 2011; employment recommendation of Pamela Miler as First Grade teacher effective August 12, 2011; and transfer of Hollis Ellis from Roulhac Middle School to Kate Smith Elementary School effective August 12, 2011.
One Stop Center: resignation of Pamela Vann, WT Case Manager, effective June 30, 2011.

Roulhac Middle School: retirement of Sabra Shores effective June 10, 2011; retirement of Amelia Buchanan effective June 10, 2011; pay Greg Mathis 37.5 summer hours effective July 1, 2011; and transfer of Judith S. Young from Chipley High School to Roulhac Middle School effective July 1, 2011.

Vernon Elementary School: transfer of Julie Lassiter from Vernon Middle School to Vernon Elementary School physical education effective July 1, 2011; annual contract of Cassandra Riley for 2011-2012 school year; and pay Lee Richards, Guidance Counselor for 37.5 additional hours retroactive July 5, 2011.

Washington-Holmes Technical Center: resignation of Theresa McDonald effective June 13, 2011; resignation of Annie Catherine York effective June 30, 2011; and Instructional personnel on professional service contract for 2011-2012 school year for Beverly Hambright retroactive July 1, 2011.