CENTERBURG — On Monday, the Centerburg school board learned about the computer network modifications made over the summer. Joanna Bryant, IT coordinator for the district, and Tim Garber of Worthington Industries outlined the steps taken, and recommended that computer security be increased. Although the network itself was not breached, network structure changes have been made, and there are plans to update hardware and software. New access codes and passwords will be required.

Garber, who donated many hours to work on the network, talked about four areas instrumental in maintaining data security, the first of which is technology itself. The network changes include centralized data storage and a complete separation of student and teacher computers. Students will not be able to access teacher computers and teachers will not be able to access student computers.

Because security is not just a technology issue, Garber said teachers, the “owners” of sensitive data such as tests and grades, will have to follow industry-standard procedures in areas such as logging onto and off of their computers. Third, he said, the administration must set rules and create consequences for students attempting to break into the system, whether or not that attempt succeeds. The fourth area is the board has to support the administration with the necessary funds, and encourage it to enforce the rules and consequences.

Superintendent Dorothy Holden complimented Bryant and Garber for the rapidity with which they addressed the issue, and the board complimented and thanked them for all of the volunteer hours they spent on the project.

Dale Pennington of Centerburg NAPA talked with the board about the local merchants’ drive to provide school supplies for elementary students. He said several merchants have already donated supplies, and said donations from any community member would be welcome. The board accepted, in advance, the donation of 20 filled backpacks.

Transportation coordinator Vicky Nelson announced the bus inspection went well, and said the buses “passed with flying colors.” She discussed fuel-saving measures such as “no idling” times and “bunched” pick-up points in the village rather than door-to-door stops.

Discussing finances, Treasurer Ellen Scott asked the board to transfer $30,000 from the general fund to the cafeteria fund; the board did so, and talked about ways to reduce costs and/or increase sales. It also adjusted cooks’ hours and salary schedules as a cost-saving measure. Full-time cooks’ hours will be reduced by one-half hour daily; the head cook supplemental pay will be divided between district head cook Gail McClary (2/3) and elementary head cook Vicky Looker (1/3). Elementary principal Chuck Davis said there is a need for community volunteers to help on the serving line at the elementary.

Regarding personnel, the board approved some changes in the football coaching staff. Jim Stoyle and Daniel Nuber will share assistant varsity coaching duties, and Tim Nuber and Mike Linkenhoker will share junior high football coaching duties. They will also be splitting the stipend along with the duties.

The board approved Shelly Arnold’s request for a family medical leave of absence from Aug. 25 through Nov. 1, and moved Wendy Ely on the salary schedule due to completion of requirements. Stoyle was approved as assistant football coach and Kim Schwartz was assigned a kindergarten bus route in addition to her regular daily bus route. The board also approved a quartet of one-on-one aides on an as-needed basis for special education classrooms, and accepted teacher and teacher aide substitute lists.

The board approved a number of volunteers for the 2009-10 school year, pending favorable background checks, and accepted Justin Waldman, Ohio Dominican student, as a fall athletic intern under the direction of Stoyle.

Besides approving routine fiscal actions, the board accepted the following donations: $1,500 from Abbott Fund Matching Grant Plan to the Cordle Scholarship Fund, and $600 from Abbott Fund Matching Grant Fund Plan to the Robotics Club. It approved an agreement with Knox County Head Start for classroom space, contracted with Leah Clendening for physical therapy services and approved a purchase of educational service agreement with Excel Academy, all for the 2009-10 school year.

Other actions taken by the board included the approval of the bus driver manual, the Rules of Athletic Participation Handbook and the Class of 2010 field trip to New York City in May. It also established bus routes and stops for the 2009-10 school year.

Prior to adjournment, the board heard reports from Holden, the building principals and legislative liaison Leroy Bumpus.