Texarkana, Ark., School District's Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. today to consider technology bids and a professional development contract.
The board will consider the purchase of 1,110 Chromebooks for Arkansas High School, North Heights Junior High and College Hill Middle School. Funds for the purchase will come from the recent $14.8 million Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Called the Montage Project, the grant will extend the science, technology, engineering and math thread from the elementary level to the junior high and high school levels. The district received a $9.4 million federal grant in 2013 that was used at the elementary level.
Directors will also consider the purchase of 51 desktop computers and monitors for AHS to be used for research, collaboration and project development. Funding for these will also come from the magnet grant.
The board will consider purchasing a 2014 Ford F250 for the maintenance department and removing three school buses from the fixed-asset inventory. Also up for consideration is contracting with the Buck Educational Institute for professional development. The district used Buck with the previous magnet grant to provide staff with training on project-based learning.
An increase in pay for substitute teachers is also on the agenda. If approved, they would receive $70 per day to reflect the recent increase in the state's minimum wage.
The meeting will be held at the Administration Building, 3435 Jefferson Ave., Texarkana, Ark.