Delphi Community School Corporation Board of Trustees invested in equipment to educate students and keep them comfortable in classrooms at their Monday night meeting.

Board members and patrons discussed costs, timeliness and educational needs before the board approved a motion to spend $64,595 from capital projects funds on electronic equipment. High school principal Barry Stone said students will have access to 32 Macintosh computers for the first time along with 20 "smart board" tablets, 10 projectors and a student response system. He explained the purchase would outfit approximately 50 percent of the classrooms.

Board member Nick Cronk said two DCSC graduates told him recently they were behind in college due to lack of cutting edge technology at Delphi.

"At first I was hesitant (to approve the motion)," Cronk said. "But I had some insightful conversations. In a time when every penny is crucial, we need to act on a deal."

DCSC Technology Director Scott Gear said the deal included $9,000 worth of free extras, including digital cameras, iPods, a miscroscope and other items due to the amount spent.

A three-year preventative maintenance contract with Siemens for $34,656, to be paid in annual installments, was approved. The high school's heating and cooling system's software will be updated, 120 sensors will be installed in classrooms to provide room-specific temperature control and training for users will be provided through the deal.

Patron Shawn Ashby asked why work was being done on the system before the board knew if the proposed renovation project would be approved.

"If a building project goes through, will the HVAC system have to change," he asked. "Won't that create the need for a change order?"

DCSC Superintendent Ralph Walker replied Siemens, whose system is currently installed, wanted to continue to work with the corporation if a building project went through.

"Siemens is aware of the potential," Walker said. "They would like to have the business."

Camden resident Kevin Kremer asked if other HVAC suppliers could be contacted for bids. Walker said heating and cooling systems are brand-specific and only Siemens could do the work.

High ability students

Camden Early Childhood Center Principal Carol Coon said due to a change in state law, elementary schools must identify "high-ability" students and provide them with advanced instruction. Coon received permission to interview elementary students' parents about educational models they would prefer for "high-ability" young learners including the following options:

- A pull-out program in which students are part of the main school body but are removed from some or all regular classes for advanced teaching;

- In-class cluster groups, two per grade level, in which students would remain in the classroom and learn in small groups; and

- Placement in a High Ability Academy, a self-contained facility staffed by a licensed high ability teacher.

Coon explained parents whose children are to be tested would receive a letter of explanation from the school.

Elementary students will take Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and other types of tests to define their individual learning needs.

"An I.Q. test is one of several identifiers to help us identify high ability students," Coon explained.

A selection process will occur and an appeal system will be in place for parents who disagree with placement results.

"We will identify the kiddos in March," Coon explained. "After the selection process we will notify parents in April."

Walker said high ability students were "often very unique" and "not challenged enough." He said more than likely he could "make the academy work" without adding staff.

Patron Everett Snoeberger questioned Walker's optimism about information presented regarding lowered class sizes.

"The numbers don't make sense," Snoeberger said.

"We would not have to hire a teacher," Walker clarified.

Coon received permission to continue work on a professional development grant proposal due by the end of this month.

Other business

The board approved the purchase of a plotter/cutter for the graphic arts department for $1,098. Stone said photography was being phased out to make room for more usable equipment.

The board gave the green light to hold a 2008 Middle School Triathlon the last Wednesday in August. Walker said some middle school students were already "in training" for the event.

Approval of a new cell phone plan was tabled. Board members Cronk and Paul Brown requested other options, including plans with more minutes and additional phones. The board directed Gear to investigate more comprehensive package deals.

An FFA ski trip held last weekend was approved.

Abby Fish will be interim middle school counselor.

The board will hold a regular meeting March 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre. A 1028 tax hearing will be held at 7:30.