by Dan Stockton, Principal, Oneida Baptist Institute.
"As we begin the process of closing another school year I felt compelled to provide you with some insights we have experienced with Centre.
As a teacher for 12 years and a principal for six, I have had numerous opportunities to "learn" new and advanced ways of keeping current with student information systems. For over a decade our school used a very popular, but costly record keeping system. Scheduling was a nightmare, and we often just resorted back to the "paper trail." Our teachers had to keep the old fashioned grade books, figure grades, bubble scan-tron sheets, and hope everything worked. Our guidance office had to run scan-tron sheets for the teachers to complete, wait, scan the sheets, wait, and hope the process worked, which often did not. The system did not allow for midterm grades. Every quarter we literally typed individual schedules, sent them to the faculty, waited for grades, and finally mailed them. We could not check student progress without the process taking at least two full days. No transcript options, which was unbelievable. As for technical or any type of assistance, it was virtually non-existent, and when a problem occurred, we again had to wait. Needless to say, I grew weary of waiting, and we found Centre.
Centre completely changed our entire school community. Every aspect of educational record keeping was available immediately to our administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents. The "paper trail" vanished. Beginning school was an easy task because the school calendar guided our setup process. With Centre, student information was instant, scheduling was a simple task, grade books were replaced with the on-line electronic options, midterm grade and report card grades printed without the slightest interruption, and none of these processes caused any of us to work extra hours. Our teachers are ecstatic about the electronic grade books and grading options. Completing grade reporting is as simple as a mouse click. Parents and students are thrilled that they can log-in and view "every" assignment, description, and grade. Even our athletic director is happy because the teachers have taken ownership of eligibility for our student athletes.
As the chief academic administrator in charge of record keeping, statistics, enrollment, grades, student discipline, etc., Centre has made my position more of a blessing than a job. Because Centre has simplified every aspect of educational records, scheduling, etc., I now get to spend much more time with my students, which is why I became an educator in the first place. I honestly feel this has been "our" best year ever. Our calendar worked! Our students' schedules worked! Grades and transcripts worked! Record keeping in EVERY ASPECT was made easier by Centre. Our ENTIRE sense of community changed for the better!
To all of you at the Miller Group, I sincerely thank you for taking time to change education. Your constant guidance and support are immensely appreciated. We look forward to a summer of rest, but are excited about next year's journey with Centre.
With gratitude,
Dan Stockton
Principal, Oneida Baptist Institute"
