School officials consider purchasing $450,000 computer program

School officials will then use this knowledge to help them decide whether to spend approximately $450,000 over the next three years to expand the program into all elementary and middle schools in Barrow County.

Classworks is a program which helps teachers meet the needs of all students, regardless of the level they are at. It is also used to help students reach CRCT goals and to target learning problems and help give solutions for weaknesses, program officials said during a work session Tuesday night.

The program is currently used at four elementary schools including County Line Elementary School, Holsenbeck Elementary School, Kennedy Elementary and Statham Elementary School.

School officials are looking at whether to expand the program to all elementary and middle schools.

The main concern in expanding the program for most BOE members is the cost. With the budget already tight, members expressed concern over finding money to pay for the program even though it would be spread out over three years.

“We have to consider that nothing is free,” superintendent Ron Saunders said.

The $450,000 cost is a discounted rate since Classworks is headquartered in Duluth and officials want to have Barrow County on board since it is so close.

Westside Middle School Eli Welch spoke during Tuesday’s work session, which lasted almost two hours, and said Classworks would benefit his school.

“We can use it in a lot of different areas,” Welch said. “It can be used in out before school and after school programs. It can be utilized for our students with disabilities. It can also help our economically challenged students. This is a not a program that would be put in and not used.”

Currently, systems using Classworks would have access to 240 software titles.

None of the principals at the Barrow County schools currently using Classworks were present during Tuesday’s worksession which disappointed board members, including Lynn Stevens.

“I know I don’t make a decision based on a presentation,” Stevens said. “I would like to go to the schools and see this being used by our students.”

Saunders said the principals had prior engagements at their schools.

Other board members agreed it would be best to see how the program is being used.

Stevens also questioned why assistant superintendent for finance Ken Cato was not at the meeting.

“That’s someone else conspicuous by his absence,” Stevens said.

Saunders said he would look at a couple of dates, probably after the Oct. 20-24 fall break, for BOE members to visit classrooms.