Computer Information, Education Funds and Energy Savings Discussed

The Bridgewater-Raritan School District is moving forward with upgrading systems and waiting for funds to save teachers as the 2010-2011 school year kicked off Sept. 8.

With the start of the school year, the district has initiated the use of Pearson's PowerSchool, Superintendent Michael Schilder said during Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.

The program, Schilder said, is designed to serve as a student information management system. Being new, he said, there were a few technical glitches at the start of school as teachers are beginning to learn the system.

"But the teachers were able to take attendance on the computer," he said. 'There will be further training opportunities on it."

Schilder said the use of a district-wide computer information system is not new for Bridgewater-Raritan faculty, as they used SASI security software in previous years.

"PowerSchool was implemented because the old system was out of date and being phased out by the company," he said.

The next steps, Schilder said, are to continue expanding the opportunities for providing and protecting student information, while continuing training.

In addition, Schilder announced that Gov. Chris Christie has informed the state that the application for $268 million in federal education funds through the Education Jobs Fund Program has been approved for New Jersey. At this point, Schilder said, he does not have any details on how that will be divided.

"We don't know yet how much money we will get, or how it will be applied," he said.

The Education Jobs Fund was signed into law by President Barack Obama in August to provide $10 billion in federal funding to assist states in avoiding teacher layoffs. It has been reported that as many as 160,000 kindergarten through 12th grade teacher jobs can be saved with this money.

On the topic of saving money, Business Administrator Peter Starrs said that the district is moving forward with a plan to participate in a 60/40 program through Public Service Electric & Gas, that allows for splitting costs on electrical upgrades throughout the district.

Basically, through this program, PSE&G will pay 60 percent of the costs of upgrades in the district, and Bridgewater will only pay for 40 percent.

Starrs said a survey of the district has found that the program can help pay for either fuel economizers for the boilers or light sensors at Adamsville Primary, Bradley Gardens Primary, Crim Primary, John F. Kennedy Primary, Van Holten Primary and Hillside Intermediate, as well as HVAC units at Bradley Gardens Primary.

"We had a long conversation about energy audits," he said. "And these were the recommendations. We will pay 40 percent and PSE&G will pay 60 percent."