ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School Principal Travis McGuire and Director of Curriculum, Instructional and Assessment Services Dr. Elizabeth Freeman demonstrated some of the latest technology being used in classrooms across the country for the RTHS Board of Education Monday night during their monthly meeting.

Freeman and McGuire gave board members a taste of the endless possibilities that Promethean ActivBoards possess and showed them how students and teachers become engaged in the technology. ActivBoards are interactive whiteboard systems that are touch-sensitive displays that connect to the user’s computer and digital projector. Using a finger or tool, users control computer applications, write notes, pull up charts and images, search the Internet, play videos and can save work.

Freeman and McGuire gave board members a sample quiz Monday night and demonstrated how the system is able to break down answers quickly for teachers, so they are able to gauge if students are comprehending material.

“The value of this feedback is huge,” Freeman said. “Teachers can instantly see if students are understanding what is being taught in the classroom.”

Currently, the school has one ActivBoard, which is in the library classroom.



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Freeman said some teachers have been trained on the equipment and school officials are monitoring teacher usage of the technology to determine if additional units should be purchased in the future.

The price tag, however, is large, coming in at approximately $6,000 per board. Freeman said grants could be available to help with cost if the district decides to purchase more of the boards.

OCEC update

Craven gave the board members an update on the progress of Byron School District’s withdrawal from the Ogle County Education Cooperative.

He noted that the hearing with OCEC and Byron representatives and the Ogle-Lee Regional Board of Trustees that had been postponed has been rescheduled. The hearing was postponed in February so both parties could negotiate, however, it appears negotiations were unsuccessful.

The hearing has been scheduled for July 23 and 24 and likely will be held in Oregon. Time and definite location will be determined at a later date.

Resignations, employment

The board also approved several resignations and employments Monday night. The board approved resignations for long-time treasurer John Havens, assistance girls basketball coach Tracy Lundquist and assistant football coach Brian Worthington. Board members approved employment of Nathan Grobe as a chemistry teacher, Bill Lowney as an assistant wrestling coach, John Vandre as an assistant girls basketball coach and Marcia Lewis at a student aide.

Craven said Havens will be missed at RTHS after his 23 years as the school’s treasurer.

“Mr. Havens has done an excellent job and we greatly appreciate his service to the community and to RTHS,” he said.