New Trustee Joins MVLA School Board
After the retirement of board member David Williams, the MVLA School Board appointed Joseph Mitchner to serve as one of five until the next school board election.

Mitchner has been involved in the district through several organizations including the PTA, School Site Council, Mountain View Education Foundations and the Mountain View Whisman School District.

“I’m excited about the current state of the schools and want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to continue to raise the achievement levels for all students across the spectrum,” Mitchner said.

As a middle school parent, Mitchner hopes to bring the school districts together to help smooth out the transition between eighth and ninth grades by getting feedback from current high school students. He is also looking for any ideas that would help prepare students for life beyond high school.

Math Department Gets SMART Boards
A local family recently donated new interactive SMART  boards, to the school’s math department.

The SMART projector hooks up to the teacher’s computer and allows them to project their work on the touch-sensitive screen as if using a computer. By touching the screen, teachers can open programs and files and surf the internet. Anything that can be done on their desktop can now be done in front of their class.

“It takes teaching to a whole new level,” geometry teacher Theresa NeSmith said.

NeSmith had the opportunity to work with the SMART board while teaching in Virginia.

“It keeps [the students] engaged because they love the technology,” NeSmith said.

Whitmore Absence Opens the GATE
With the loss of former Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Coordinator Debra Whitmore, the school is looking for someone to organize the funds allocated to this program.

“The general purpose of GATE is to help students with special skills,” Principal Wynne Satterwhite said.

In the past, the organization has supported student programs such as Mock Trial, Model UN and Speech and Debate and music, dance and art classes.

The school accesses the funds through a proposal to the Site Council, which then votes and distributes the money.

According to Satterwhite, the role of the coordinator is to provide opportunities to students such as lectures and field trips.

A few teachers have shown interest in the position, but the administration has yet to choose an official coordinator.