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Harlan Teacher to take leave of absence to pursue NFL career

News

July 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A Harlan Community School teacher is taking a leave of absence to pursue the NFL. Dan Hoch, who was recently hired by the School District for High School Social Studies, requested the leave of absence after being contacted for a tryout with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The leave of absence is until September 1st, 2012. Hoch spoke with High School Principal John Connell and said he has about a 10 percent chance of making the team.During the school board meeting Monday, the board approved the leave of absence and placed Brian James as the substitute teacher for Hoch. The leave of absence had to be approved by the union, administration and board.

In other business, the school board approved the AEA School based Interventionist Contract. The contract is for a $29,750 grant from the AEA and is matched by the school district for the Interventionist. Superintendent Justin Wagner spoke with the board about the Iowa Association School Board Membership. Wagner said the administration agreed to stay with the IASB as they continue to provide much needed updates in an ever changing educational landscape. The membership costs $4,653.

In the final act of board approval, the school board approved the handbooks for the 2012-2013 school year. Normally this is an easy item on the agenda, however with the implement of the new 1 to 1 earlier this year, the handbooks had several policy changes. Lisa Swanson, technology director for the Harlan Community School District, gave a report on the new Mobile Computing Handbook. The handbook was written largely due to the new 1 to 1 so all the policies, procedures and agreements could be in place for students, parents and the district. Students and parents will need to sign an accountability agreement in order for their student to receive their laptop.

The handbook is rather long with several policies focusing on lost or stolen equipment, website usage and more. The Harlan Community School District is uploading a video for parents and students to watch for mobile computing. The first chance parents have of watching the video is August 3rd. The entire Mobile Computing Handbook will be given to parents and students before the school year starts.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)