Published: October 14, 2008 11:14 pm      

Bismarck-Henning approves Web site

BISMARCK — The Bismarck-Henning School Board approved a new Web site provider Tuesday night.

Simplified Online Communication Systems offers schools an easier way to communicate with staff, parents, and students, school officials said.

“The potential of this web site is incredible,” said Laura Girton, elementary school principal, as she gave the presentation to the board.

The Web site can be set up for teachers, building staff, superintendent, board, technology Web sites and more, said Girton. It includes calendars, newsletters, events, parent/teacher sign up, surveys and polls, and has the capability to add banners for such things as school closings during bad weather.

“You can include as much information as you want on the Web site,” Girton said.

Superintendent Randy Hird said the Web site could be up in 2-3 weeks which would include in-service and training of teachers, staff, managers and editors for the Web site.

SOCS would design the Web site for each building, said Hird, who would be responsible for building information.

“I used to think Web sites were a luxury,” Hird said. “People do depend on these Web sites. They are so much more important than I thought.”

The board approved SOCS by a 6-1 vote.

In other business, board members:

--Learned that the booster club purchased Star Reader for the school which will help monitor a student’s progress in reading.

--Learned that two student teachers from the University of Illinois will be at Bismarck-Henning this year.

--Heard the first reading of the school board policies and Risk Management Plan.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bismarck-Henning School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Ellen R. Morris conference room.