The South Central School Board Wednesday night was told the virtual classroom equipment has arrived and has been set up in a conference room at the high school.
Principal Jamie VanScyoc says the equipment will allow South Central high school students more class choices.
“If we are short staffed or don’t have a teacher, it allows us to provide an opportunity for our students to take a class. If we wanted to have a German or French class, we will be able to connect with someone virtually who will be able to provide that to our students virtually.”
VanScyoc says it also gives some learning opportunities to students in study hall.
“If we had some kids interested in robotics or mechanics that would be something we could find through that virtual program. We would be able to find an instructor to send us material for our kids to use and take a class in that regard.”
The system will also allow South Central teachers to teach students in other schools utilizing the system. It allows students and teacher to see each other and for the remote students to participate in class. The system will go live with the new school year in August.
A number of school districts led by Centralia High School received a USDA grant to pay a large part of the cost of the system. Superintendent Kerry Herdes noted the computer and interactive equipment would have cost $20,000 without the grant, but with the grant it only cost $1,100.
Herdes reported with three fourths of the fiscal year over only 50 to 60 percent of the money budgeted has been so far. He says that means the district should finish well within its budget.
The first day for student attendance for the next school year will be August 15th. The scheduled last day of school is May 22nd. Herdes said the calendar is very similar to the Vandalia School District to accommodate the 26 South Central students added classes at the Okaw Vocational Center for part of the school day.
