AKRON — Updates to the 1:1 Device Protection Plan at Tippecanoe Valley High School were approved during the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, May 8.

Director of Technology Keith Lang explained this is the year to refresh the 1:1 Device Protection Plan. Lang requested the board approve the proposed policy changes that would be instated for the coming school year.

The insurance program for school devices will now be available for purchase at a lower cost. The plan will cost $35 for the year, down from the current $51 insurance fee. Students eligible for free or reduced lunch will be charged $25 if they opt into the plan.

Students will not be required to insure their devices, however, if the device is lost, stolen or damaged, they are entirely responsible for a replacement.

The insurance policy will help parents and students minimize the cost of repairs. For the first claim of accidental damage, insurance will cover 100 percent of the cost to fix. Additional claims will require a deductible.

A one-time claim for a stolen device will be covered by insurance for 50 percent. This claim will require a filed police report. The total cost of replacements are typically $525.

The board unanimously approved the proposed changes to the 1:1 Device Protection Plan.

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Principal Scott Backus presented information about changes to the school’s master schedule.

Backus requested the board approve revisions to the schedule switching the school from its current class schedule of 9-9-18 week classes to a balanced 12 week trimester schedule.

The changes shouldn’t affect core classes extensively other than extending the grading period a bit. This change would allow all students to take the six related art classes consisting of computers, Project Lead the Way, art, home economics and two PE sections. Each grade level would be able to experience all six of those classes with the new proposed schedule.

The changes would prevent kids from losing study hall time and would result in a seven period day rather than the current eight period day.

“Bottom line is we want to be able to provide better support for our kids that are struggling, we want to better balance our classes and better balance the opportunities kids have,” said Backus.

The board unanimously approved the revisions to the Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Master Schedule.

Other News:

• The board accepted a donation from the Beaver Dam United Methodist church, a Valley Hometown grant for T’s Boutique and an Early Intervention grant for Akron and Mentone Elementary.
• The board honored students participating in the following programs:  Circle the State, the Akron Hoosier Spell Bowl Team, the Akron M.A.T.H. Team, the Akron Student Council and the Robotics Team.
• The board recognized the following retirees: Brenda Vanlaningham, Kim Eiser, Lois Buss and Doug Heinold.