OXFORD — Talawanda High School will get a portable writing laboratory in August as part of a plan to increase spending in the district by $269,000 for the 2001-02 school year.

        The lab will feature 25 laptop computers on a cart that can be wheeled from room to room, said Phil Cagwin, assistant superintendent. The cost to the district is about $50,000 and was one of 19 recommendations the Talawanda Board of Education recently funded.

        Money for the projects will come either from the general fund or a state-mandated fund that can be used only for specific items, Mr. Cagwin said. The projects were recommended to the board by Superintendent Susan Cobb, who reviewed requests by the athletic department, building administrators, the Continuous Improvement Plan team and school booster organizations.

        The action comes five months after Talawanda voters approved a 6.5-mill operating levy that will bring $2.86 million annually to the district. Last December the board approved reinstating $380,000 of the $600,000 in cuts made for the 2000-01 school year after voters rejected two previous money issues.

        “All these requests have come from groups — community input,” Mr. Cagwin said. “But we wouldn't be doing this without the levy passing last November.”

        The district will spend the bulk of the $269,000 — about $105,000 — for three new teaching positions. A new music teacher for the middle school means that three additional music classes can be offered at the high school because the vocal music teacher there won't split her time between the two build ings. Also approved were reading and math specialists to assist in grades kindergarten through 6.

        The athletic department also is benefiting from the recommendations. Of the $100,000 in requests made earlier this year, the board agreed to spend $66,000. It will pay for two additional football coaches, an ice hockey coach for a junior varsity team, a volleyball coach to begin a girl's freshmen team, and hiring a part-time summer strength coach for weightlifting.

        The athletic department money will also pay for lighting at the football field, an annual treatment of the baseball fields, improving ventilation at the high school gymnasium, adding athletic storage sheds at the middle and high schools, repairs to the boys varsity locker rooms and uniforms.

        The rest of the money will fund an entry-year teacher mentor program and professional development for teachers.

        “They were all things that were needed. We went through them item by item,” said William Vollmer, president of the Talawanda Board of Education. “We've got the money now to do them, so we should.”

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