Clarksville Board Approves Technology Purchases
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by Stephanie Baker
The Clarksville School Board met on Thursday, March 19, and approved various technology purchases, including security cameras, teacher devices, classroom speakers, and student device monitoring software.
The Board approved the replacement of high school security cameras considered to be at “end of life.” The replacement cameras will tie into the district’s existing monitoring system. The cost of the installation of the Ubiquity cameras will be approximately $76,000.
Superintendent David Hopkins noted the Ubiquity security camera software system is a significant improvement and allows local law enforcement to view live cameras. He explained this is the final installment in unifying the district’s camera system to a single streamlined interface. Before previous upgrades, the district was using as many as six separate camera monitoring systems and did not have the ability to monitor cameras remotely.
Hopkins noted the Ubiquity systems can be managed in-house, eliminating additional contract work expenses for the district.
Also approved was the purchase of 22 ThinkPad teacher devices, which will replace current failing devices, and 170 classroom speakers at a cost of $36,290. A licensing renewal for Lenovo LanSchool, a student device monitoring software, was also approved for $28,070.
The rewiring of the primary school with new cables, switches, and access points will cost the district approximately $22,000, with e-rate funding covering the rest of the $147,000 estimated cost.
Assistant Superintendent Chase Carter thanked the Board for its approval of the technology purchases and stated the current school year is the district’s “most successful technology year,” due to the hard work of the school’s technology staff.
Curriculum Purchases
The Board approved curriculum purchases, including approximately $70,000 for Amplify, approximately $28,000 for Renaissance Learning, and approximately $73,000 for purchases from Educator Book Depository.
Also approved was a purchase for Amplify CKLA training for $19,200. Curriculum trainers will be brought in to conduct two days of summer professional development, one day each for two different buildings.
Carter said the curriculum purchases would be made using a blend of funding streams, including the general fund and supplemental funding.
Flooring Bids
The Board approved two flooring bids, a polished concrete surface for the middle school from Razor Polish of Russellville for $33,949.88, and carpeting throughout the primary, elementary, and intermediate schools from Lensing Brothers in the amount of $69,000.
Hopkins noted while the polished concrete floors cost more initially, they are easier to maintain and have a longer life span.
Personnel
Following an executive session, the Board accepted the resignations of Randy Tahyi, bus driver; Marily Garcia, third grade teacher; Kaylyn Bowser, fifth grade math teacher; Matthew Bowser, intermediate school special education paraprofessional; and Travis Shaw, junior high custodian.
Transfers were approved for Haley Smith, from kindergarten teacher to primary school special education direct instruction; Kellie Willis, from primary school nurse to high school nurse; Morgan Wilson-Ball, from primary school one-to-one direct instruction special education to elementary school one-to-one direct instruction special education; Alena Martinez, from elementary school computer lab paraprofessional to elementary school Barton paraprofessional; Arely Castro, from elementary school one-to-one direct instruction special education to primary school one-to-one direct instruction special education; Jessica Anderson, from elementary school Barton paraprofessional to intermediate school one-to-one direct instruction special education; Karmen Lantz, from elementary school and intermediate school in school suspension paraprofessional to intermediate school braille transcripter; Daniela Elizondo-Plugge, from junior high school and high school Spanish teacher to junior high school math teacher; Savannah Burkett, from junior high special education paraprofessional to junior high school intervention paraprofessional; and Savanna Burgess, from high school one-to-one direct instruction special education to high school direct instruction classroom paraprofessional.
Lydia Rogers was employed as junior high counselor.
Temporary work agreements were approved for Chris Chappell as trap coach and Jace Holzman as maintenance-worker.
Other Matters
-The Board voted to approve “calendar option B” as the 2026-27 school calendar, as recommended by the licensed personnel policy committee. This calendar includes one teacher work day following Christmas break.
-The Board approved an ethics resolution for the district to hire Maegan Cloud to provide specialized percussion accompaniment and work with the choir before and during its spring program.
-The Board reorganized, with Joanie Raburn serving as president and Dana Frizzell serving as vice president.
-The regular Board meeting time was changed to the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the junior high media center. Board members agreed an earlier meeting time works better, and a Tuesday meeting day helps avoid holiday rescheduling.
-A special Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. The agenda has only one item, e-rate bidding approval.
-Carter reported students completed a second round of practice testing before ATLAS testing. He said the scores showed “major progress,” and teachers are using the data to continue to prepare students for upcoming state testing.
-Board members present were Joanie Raburn, Sterling Penix, Dana Frizzell, and Clay Austin. Jessie Taylor was absent.
Read this story and others in the March 25 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
