Gov. Hutchinson talks coding with students

ARMOREL— The Armorel School Board met Monday for its monthly meeting and the anticipation was high as Gov. Asa Hutchinson was set to be speaking at Armorel at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

High School Principal Theresa Lawrence said, “ As you know the governor will be here tomorrow speaking to our students about the importance of coding and computer science. The gym is ready and you guys are all invited. The hospitality room will be set up with some snacks and drinks. The governor will arrive at 2 p.m. and your names have been given so you will be okay to be in the hospitality room. We have some area business leaders who will also be there. ANC — Dr. (James) Shemwell, Gene Bennett, Sheri Bennett and Michelle Bennett. Tracey Ritchey from Tenaris and Randy Henderson from Nucor. So we have some good representation of the local industry. He will be here until 3 p.m.”

The board also discussed, as a way to save money, its members using the district’s MacBooks to cut paper cost instead of ordering the iPads.

Tech Coordinator Ross Harms said by using the MacBooks the district saved $5,000.

Another topic of discussion was possibly switching to Chromebooks. Harmes stated that Chromebooks are cheaper but they don’t last as long.

Harmes said Chromebooks cost roughly $300, whereas MacBooks cost roughly $1,500.

The district is currently replacing MacBooks every four years and board president Scott Jowers asked if they could stretch the cycle; instead of four years, making them last longer.

The board said to look at other schools that use Chromebooks and MacBooks to see what they like about them or how long their cycle is.

Harmes said that Chromebooks don’t hold up as long as MacBooks.

Superintendent Tiffany Morgan stated they will either have to change to Chromebooks or lengthen the cycle.

Jowers said he’d rather lengthen the cycle instead of changing the computers. He added to look at a changed cycle first, then change later if needed.

Meanwhile, concrete has started being poured at the new elementary building and crews will be pouring a new slab of concrete every Friday in September. Steel began being erecting on Sept. 3.

The building is scheduled to be in the dry on Dec. 1.