Photo by JP Crumrine
The Hemet Unified School District Board of governors held its annual meeting in Idyllwild last week.
On the recommendation of board member Vic Scavarda, the board honored Idyllwild School teacher Barbara Longbrook as the October recipient of the Governing Board Recognition. The award and a $500 certificate to be used toward the district program of her choice were bestowed on her at the meeting.
During the presentation, Scavarda told his board colleagues that Longbrook “… uses knowledge and skills to advance the students. She’s a big part of the academic success at Idyllwild School.”
At Idyllwild School, Longbrook teaches a multi-age kindergarten and first grade class. She began her career with HUSD in 1998 and has been at Idyllwild since 2005. She is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Idyllwild Principal Matt Kraemer said, “Barbara has a background in special education and uses her knowledge and skill in addressing the needs of students who are below grade level standards … Barbara has a true passion for teaching and continues to serve as an outstanding ambassador for our district.”
Later in the meeting, the Board approved an agreement with the Riverside County Park and Open Space District for use of the Idyllwild School facilities. The agreement is for Oct. 7 through June 30, 2016.
While the parks district will pay the school district facilities rental rate, HUSD will credit them for any monetary donations or pre-approved in-kind services. This includes custodial fees and refinishing the gym floor.
There was no discussion of this agreement before its approval, but the board discussed and unanimously rejected a proposed contract with Skoollive, LLC.
SkoolLive provides media placement and management services to educational institutions primarily through a digital interactive kiosk system and licensed software for the promotion of all regularly and specially scheduled school district’s school events on their campuses, as well the promotion of age appropriate, non-objectionable products and services offered by select third party manufacturers and retailers. The third party promotional content displayed on the kiosk system generates revenue which is shared between SkoolLive and the school district.
Skoollive would provide HUSD with 20 percent of the revenue and there is no cost or expense to the district or its school sites.
Board member Jim Smith immediately objected and colleague Joe Wojcik agreed.
“I’m against this. I came from an area where they would put televisions in schools and run commercials,” Smith stated. “I don’t think schools are the place for this.”
Wojcik added that his research uncovered that HUSD would receive 20 percent of the net revenue, which would be significantly less than gross revenue due to the many deductions including content, software, the kiosks and overhead. Further apparel sales would not contribute to the revenue collection.
