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Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > January > 26
Monday, January 26, 2009
District administrator resigns admid allegations
Springfield schools’ director of technology has resigned from his position amid allegations that his negligence in performing job duties put the district’s already strained financial predicament in further jeopardy.
Anthony J. Smith, 42, resigned his position - after less than a year on the job - effective Friday, Jan. 23, according to documents in his personnel file. He cited “personal and professional differences.”
Smith declined to comment.
Interim Superintendent Don Thompson planned to recommend to the board of education that Smith’s contract be terminated for actions that “constitute incompetency, inefficiency, insubordination, neglect of duty, misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance,” according to a letter addressed to Smith and dated Jan. 20.
Smith was placed on administrative leave Jan. 20 pending the outcome of a termination hearing with the board of education, scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 27.
Smith failed to perform various duties in his capacity as director of technology, including publishing the employee directory, completing Progress Book - the district’s electronic grade card software and completing the district’s technology plan, according to the letter.
According to documents, Smith’s failure to renew an annual agreement for the district’s ADM 200 software put at risk Springfield schools’ ability to process payroll for employees.
He also did not complete applications for a technology reimbursement program called E-Rate, according to documents in the file. The district has been granted an extension by the state of Ohio, but by missing the original deadline, the district risked $100,000 to $200,000 in reimbursements, according to a letter to Smith from Michael Whitfield, business operations manager.
Smith earned $79,367 annually as the district’s technology director and was contracted through the 2009-10 school year, according to the district’s human resources department.
The board will meet Tuesday night at 5 p.m. at South High School to take action regarding Smith’s employment.
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TweetCity schools hosts invention convention tomorrow
Springfield City Schools is hosting its annual Invention Convention tomorrow, spotlighting some of the district’s most promising young inventors from the building-level competitions.
Invention convention is like a science fair that asks grade school and middle school children to invent something - past projects have included devices that do chores like cleaning the gutter, computer programs and improved versions of popular toys.
This Web site explains a little more about the Invention Convention, which is a national activity many schools hold.
The district convention will feature 50 inventions on display from 5:30 to 6 p.m. at Snyder Park Elementary, said Elena Ackerson, coordinator for the event. They will also be on display after judging is competed, from around 7 to 8 p.m.
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TweetNew books encouraging reluctant readers
A couple weeks ago the New York Times featured an interesting piece on the “Wimpy Kid” series, the new big thing in kids literature.
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney chronicles the life of Greg Heffley, an average kid in every sense of the word. So when the most popular literary character of the last decade is a wizard, why is Kinney getting attention?
His books are attracting grade-school boys who are usually classified as reluctant readers. The stories are about a boy who is in many ways like them - or as Kinney describes it, their worst characteristics, amplified - and are told in a style that incorporates illustrations heavily.
In tomorrow’s paper, I’ll be exploring some of the latest titles that have attracted new readers and some of the things teachers are doing that get reluctant readers into books, as well as how that can help students achieve more.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Literacy
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