COLUMBIANA CO. SCHOOLS Salem board gets a look at video conferencing

Officials want to expand the service to all schools.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Several elementary schools in Columbiana County are creating high-tech classrooms with the aid of a $455,000 state grant.
Salem school board members received a firsthand look Monday at the video-conferencing network that's been assembled over the past few months.
Other districts using the equipment are Southern, Wellsville, United, East Palestine, East Liverpool and Crestview.
The districts are sharing the money equally.
Many Ohio high schools already have video-conferencing equipment, but few middle schools and even fewer elementaries have it, Jim Kerr, the county educational service center official who sought the grant, told Salem board members by video link from a classroom in the Crestview district.
About the technology: Video-conferencing allows pupils in one classroom to see and talk with pupils in other schools or with anyone at another location with similar equipment.
Pupils and teachers are sharing lessons, presentations, speakers and other classroom activities.
"They love it," said Carol Straub, a teacher at Buckeye Elementary where the Salem equipment was installed.
Kerr said plans are in place to obtain additional grants to expand the service.
The goal is to have the equipment in every school in the county.