JMS SCALE Program Brings Microelectronics Technology to the Classroom

On Monday night, the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation held their regular board meeting, with a special emphasis on professional development. 

The board approved a series of faculty and staff resignations and hiring recommendations, and the agenda announced two student field trips for Jasper High School. The FFA will attend the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville in November, and the Ambassadors Choir will travel to New York City for their Carnegie Hall debut in April. 

In the Wildcat Spotlight, the board heard an update on Jasper Middle School’s SCALE program, a new initiative focused on introducing students to the same microchip technology utilized by the Department of Defense. SCALE’s mission statement explains that the program “aims to expose, motivate, and ultimately prepare students from diverse backgrounds with the skillset and mindset for careers in defense-related microelectronics.” It offers opportunities in cross- curriculum development, technology funding, research, and professional development. 

In building and maintenance updates, the board granted approval to solicit bids for the JMS and JHS kitchen equipment upgrades. They also authorized the replacement of the high-density metal shelving system in the JHS band department.  

An update was provided on Educate Dubois County, a professional development event being held this week that brings together teachers from school districts across the county. One board member called the leadup to the program “the best example of public school corporations working together in the state.” The event will take place at Jasper High School and will include a number of special guests for breakout sessions, including the 2024 Teacher of the Year. 

In other business, the board announced that they have come to terms on the Collective Bargaining Tentative Agreement for the upcoming school year. The agreement also includes a number of pay increases, including extracurricular duty assignments. The board will consider the terms of the NEOLA policy update for discussion at the next meeting. School board President Greg Eckerle was also nominated and reappointed to his current position on the Park board. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit gjcs.k12.in.us.

 - By Drew Hasselbring