NEW EAGLE – With a split vote on two separate occasions, the Ringgold School Board Wednesday decided that unifying its computer operating system this year would be financially unfeasible. John Pascasio, of Pittsburgh-based Logic House, said his company could overhaul the district’s many independent and outdated computer systems and unify them under one more secure, efficient and user friendly system. Pascasio said Logic House would offer a tech support staff always on call and a live call center setup via the Internet that would aid district employees having problems getting used to the new system. The new system would make curriculum writing, scheduling and attendance easier to document and would allow transfer of homework assignments, grades and other information from schools to students’ homes instant via the Internet. Pascasio said the system keeps personal information confidential through a special code. He said the system provides enhanced virus protection. The board agreed to spend $9,600 to eliminate a virus in its system and install extra programs to prevent future infection. Pascasio said the Logic House system would require a one-time cost of 1 percent of the district’s annual revenue, about $330,000. He said an organization called Pittsburgh Gateways agreed to provide a grant for half the cost to the district. Pascasio said the system would pay for itself in two years with savings in maintenance fees. Despite what board members called the “wave of the future” and an enticing proposal, the Logic House offer was turned down. “I am pleading with you guys to take a leap of faith,” Director Chuck Smith said. Director Janette Baisley said the district’s budget is too tight. “We’re actually being fiscally irresponsible by spending more money,” she said. “I wish I could say I want to buy it. I think there are more pressing issues,” Larry Mauro said. “I don’t need to be convinced. We don’t have the money.” Director Denise Kuhn agreed with Smith that the board would lose in the long run. “The opportunity is now,” she said. Some board members said the school will have to spend more than $1 million to replace the high school’s roof soon and could not afford the computer expense. Superintendent Larry Golembiewski said the board could use money in its capital improvements fund to pay for the project. “There is not enough money in the capital account to do a roof anyway. You’re still going to have to borrow money for a roof,” he said. Golembiewski endorsed the new system. “It’s going to make us operate more efficiently. People will be doing a multitude of jobs,” he said. While the board voted 4-3 to purchase the new system, the motion failed because five votes are required to authorize expenditures. Smith, Kuhn and Directors Larry Speer and Marie Ripepi voted for the purchase and Baisley, Mauro and Director Richard Lorenzo voted against purchasing the system. Directors Roger D’Emidio and Nikki Trotta were absent. Later in the meeting, Smith brought the matter up for a vote again. In a closing statement, Pascasio said the board would incur software licensing fees next year unless it accepts the Logic House proposal. “To not make a decision like this and walk away from grant money is ludicrous,” he said. A second motion to purchase the system failed with the same vote.

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