Ariana Fine

Nebraska rural school districts go ‘virtual’ with new technology

Adams Central, Kenesaw, Doniphan-Trumbull and Harvard school districts are bridging the gap between rural areas and technology with a $200,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Education to bring the reVISION process and virtual reality devices to their schools.

Introducing computational thinking without programming

Wolfram Research launched Wolfram|Alpha Notebook Edition, bringing advanced technical computing that does not require programming knowledge to students and educators. It combines the Wolfram Alpha computational knowledge engine and the Mathematica technical computing software into a single, unified program.

Construction Watch: Work to start on $51 million Atlanta school, health clinic

Atlanta Public Schools and the Grove Park Foundation teamed up to provide funding for the new Woodson Park Academy, which is slated to open next year.

People Watch: Curt Tryggestad steps in as Minnesota district’s superintendent

The move is a homecoming for Tryggestad (left), who was a principal in the Pine City district from 1997-2003. He met recently with the community, including Pine Technical and Community College President Joe Mulford (right).

How a Missouri district boosts student learning by providing necessities

Districts of Distinction update: West Plains Schools' Building Bridges of Opportunity program grows exponentially with community involvement

Construction Watch: Michigan high school designed to thwart active shooters

Curved walls are one of several new safety measures being included to shorten sightlines and provide “shadow zones.”

People Watch: Washington district chooses Christopher Granger

Blaine School Board Director John Freal (right) congratulates Granger after the board voted to offer him the superintendent position.

Fla. school districts lose another round in court over charter school funding

The dozen districts that sued the Legislature over a 2017 law establishing and funding a new charter school system have suffered another setback in court. While acknowledging the districts had a limited right to challenge the law, the judges upheld a Leon County judge's ruling against the districts about funding for charter and district schools.

Construction Watch: Illinois district seeks approval of multimillion school bond

New funds would be used to address capacity concerns and improve learning environments for Cedar Springs Public Schools.

People Watch: New superintendent of Louisiana Special School District announced

Ernest E. Garrett III will oversee the education of students housed in state or privatized facilities and hospitals.

Construction Watch: New Georgia district high school to cost nearly $90 million

The 338,000-square-foot Cross Keys High School in DeKalb County is expected to open in 2020.

People Watch: Connecticut district chooses Howard J. Thiery III

Thiery, a 30-year public education veteran, is now superintendent of Region 10.

Construction Watch: Florida district’s repair program soars to $436 million over budget

Many projects to repair dilapidated schools are coming in at 50% or more over budget. The cost to repair the 68-year-old Stranahan High in Fort Lauderdale (pictured) climbed from $11 million to $28 million.

People Watch: Abbeville County school board picks Julie Fowler

Fowler moves into the South Carolina district's top job following the death of Superintendent Betty Jo Hall.

Construction Watch: Utah district’s bond projects go $73 million over budget

The Alpine School District blames rising construction costs for the overrun. Projects include purchasing property, performing school security upgrades, rebuilding schools and constructing new schools.