County schools to purchase learning software

Local News

September 12, 2008

By Bill Robinson The Richmond Register Fri Sep 12, 2008, 09:57 PM EDT

The Madison County School Board voted Thursday evening to spend nearly $356,000 on two software learning programs.

A grant obtained through the office of U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Ky., will help defray the programs’ cost, Randy Peffer, county school’s chief academic officer, told the board.

The Web-based APEX program will allow high school and middle school students to log in from any Web-connected computer to work on their studies, Peffer said.

“The software can be applied to almost all courses, and can be used by students of all levels, from remediation to advanced studies,” he said.

The APEX software, to cost $210,850, should be available by the beginning of October.

The board also voted to spend $145,00 to purchase the Read 180 software program for high school students.

The software, already used by Madison County middle schools, assists students who are not reading at grade level, Peffer said.

“This purchase will allow high school students to continue using the program they used in middle school,” he said.

The school board voted to meet in special session Thursday, Sept. 25, to open bids on the addition and renovation of Madison Southern High School and issue bonds to finance the project.

The project is estimated to cost between $16 million to $18 million, said Superintendent Tommy Floyd.

“Five contractors have requested copies of the project plans, so we’re optimistic that the bids will be within the estimate,” Floyd said.

In addition to adding classrooms and other learning facilities, the project will create a new entrance and administrative offices for the school.

“We are committed to continuous improvement of all our facilities, no matter where they are located,” Floyd said, “because every student in every school is important.”

The board also heard a report about efforts to conserve energy in the schools.

Most T-12 florescent lamps have been replaced with the more efficient T-8 lamps. Incandescent lamps are being replaced with compact florescent lamps.

Timers and thermostats also are being installed to eliminate unnecessary use of heaters and exhaust fans.

The school system is to be recognized for its conservation efforts by the governor’s office in October, Floyd said.

In other action, the board approved spring break trips to Florida for the band and baseball team of Madison Southern High School. A spring break trip to New York City for the DECA and FBLA clubs of MSHS was approved, as was a fall trip to St. Louis by the Madison Central High School GEAR UP program.

The board will conduct its next monthly meeting, Thursday, Oct. 9, at White Hall Elementary School, in part to recognize the school’s performance on the Commonwealth Assessment Test System and for being named a Blue Ribbon School by the federal No Child Left Behind program.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.

Text Only

Local News

Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.

About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.

February 6, 2012
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.

Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.

February 6, 2012
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)

A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.

February 6, 2012
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.”

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus.

February 6, 2012
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200.

February 6, 2012
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states.

February 6, 2012
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

County schools to purchase learning software

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map