The Leander ISD school board chose new officers at its May 17 meeting, naming Pamela Waggoner as new school board president, Russell Bundy as vice president and Grace S. Barber-Jordan as secretary.
After immediate past board president Will Streit swore in board members Lisa Mallory and Don Hisle—who were unopposed incumbents in the May 12 election—the board convened in closed session to discuss officer positions.
"I promised my kids I'd spend more time at home, so I'm looking forward to this," Streit said. He served as president for the past three years. The board determines officers each May.
The board continued business as usual following its reorganization, hearing a presentation from district librarian Becky Calzada regarding Overdrive, an e-book and digital content service that will be implemented throughout the district this summer. The new e-library allows students and staff to check out digital books and audiobooks by downloading them to a computer, tablet or mobile device. Calzada said the program costs $16,000 per year, half for library content and half for management and hosting services. The money is drawn from the existing allocated library budget.
"The library stays with us for as long as we keep the service, and each year we will be adding additional funds," Calzada said, adding e-books are typically cheaper than printed hardback books. "But we definitely want to build that print collection even as time goes on. There will always be a place for print, but research shows readers with devices just read more."
Similar to the print selection at the library, the district buys a certain number of digital book copies. Readers can check out e-books for two weeks through the Overdrive website.
"The kids have been asking about this. They know it's out there," Calzada said.
The board approved a new district-wide dress code compiled by an ad hoc committee led by Renee Williams, director of student support. Nine parents, three principals and 10 assistant principals served on the committee determining the 2012-13 LISD dress code.
The board also approved a guaranteed maximum price of $494,270 for galvanized steel domestic water pipes needed at Cedar Park High School and Naumann Elementary School. Jimmy Disler, executive director of capitol improvements, said crews will install the pipes as soon as students and teachers vacate the campuses.