School District Says Goodbye to Business Adminstrator Goodwin; Will Place New Computers in Each Elementary Classroom

The School District of the Chathams' Board of Education accepted the retirement of Business Administrator Ralph Goodwin at a meeting Monday.

Goodwin has been at the school district since 2004, and his retirement will formally go into effect Aug. 1.

Board members said they were sad to see Goodwin go, and Board Vice President Al Belding voted "no" on the resolution to approve Goodwin's retirement.

"There's a reason why Chatham schools are [some] of the best in the country," board member Richard Connors said. "It's because of the administration. You are a part of that administration."

Superintendent Jim O'Neill described Goodwin as "knowlegeable, honest, hardworking" and "diligent."

"He has brought a great deal to the district," he said. "There will be a gap there that will not be easy to fill."

The district will also place six netbook computers in each elementary school classroom. They will be placed in small lockers inside the rooms.

Students will not have access to server files on the computers, but will be able to access wireless Internet.

Assistant Superintendent Anne Dudley said there has been a shortage of such computers in the schools. There are some that have been wheeled around the schools on carts, but there are not enough of them to go around.

"The netbooks are very popular," said board member Al Burgunder.

They cost less than half of what laptops cost, board member said. The purchase is part of the district's ongoing technology plan.