Independence school board hears Infinite Campus presentation
The Independence school board heard a presentation about a potential system upgrade that could reduce the paperwork and stress related to registering students annually.
Sue Wozney, the district secretary, provided the board with information regarding Infinite Campus. Infinite Campus is a Student Information System that serves as an online platform for parents and guardians to access grades, attendance records, assignments, activity registrations, and more.
Wozney explained that implementing Infinite Campus would remove the need for a designated registration day, which currently costs the district approximately $7,000 annually, as well as reduce the amount of manual paperwork. The app will facilitate online registration, and the information collected can be seamlessly uploaded to the state.
The costs associated with the app will largely offset the current expenses for registration day. The only exception will be the first year, which will include an additional activation fee. The initial cost is projected to be $10,062, followed by an annual fee of $7,500 thereafter. The council will review this information and make a final decision at the next meeting.
Additionally, the council approved a $5 per hour increase for summer school teachers. The previous pay rate of $25 per hour had remained unchanged since at least 2017, and it is believed that there has not been an increase in about 15 years. District Administrator Paul Franzwa shared that the average starting pay for first-year teachers fresh out of college is currently $29.50. The recommendation is to raise the summer school pay rate to $30 per hour for all summer school teachers, regardless of tenure. Joe Bragger, the school board president, noted that if averaged over the past 15 years, the increase equates to just 33 cents per year.
The council was also informed that Corey Comero, a music teacher at the district, was nominated as a Top Notch Teacher and will be recognized by local News Channel 8 station.
