Schools

Student Technology in Classrooms Up for Vote

Regional BOE expected to take action at annual reorganization meeting Monday.

At its first meeting of the new year, the West Morris Regional Board of Education has a full slate of business to get to as it swears in new and returning members, as well as adopts new policies.

The annual reorganization meeting is set for Monday at West Morris Central High School at 7 p.m. .

In addition to those three, and for the first time, a Chester Borough representative will be sworn into a three-year seat. Donald Storms received enough write-in votes in November to win the seat.

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The board will now have four Washington Township representatives, two Chester Township representatives, and one representative from Chester Borough, Mendham Borough and Mendham Township. The reapportionment was decided upon in December 2011 by the Morris County Executive Superintendent.

Once all members are sworn in, the group will choose a president and vice president to lead the body in 2013. James Johnston (Chester Township) and Jacke Schram (Mendham Borough) currently hold those seats, respectively.

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Also on the board’s agenda for the meeting is the potential adoption of a new policy that would allow students to bring in and use their own technology devices for learning in the classroom.

Since Mackey Pendergrast took over as the district’s superintendent in March 2012, one of his top goals has been a change in how the high schools use technology to their advantage. The district recently hired a technology supervisor for both schools and has integrated to a Google platform.

The board is also faced with approving the retirement of Alyce Hunter, the district's former director of curriculum for the district. Hunter is now an assistant principal at West Morris Central High School. According to the meeting’s agenda, Hunter’s retirement would be effective Feb. 28.

It is currently unknown if the district will replace Hunter.

The meeting is open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend.

Editor's note: An original version of this article incorrectly stated Dr. Alyce Hunter is the current director of curriculum for the district.


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