Electronics to replace 12-foot pole in Troy
Kay Randall uses a 12-foot pole to changed the message on Troy Public Schools' 15-foot high announcement board. Troy plans to replace the board outside the high school with an electronic reader board.
By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter
Kay Randall's job description is about to change.
Randall will no longer fight the elements or tackle a 12-foot pole to stick letters on Troy Public Schools' 15-foot high announcement board. By early next year, she will do it from a computer.
Troy plans to replace the announcement board outside the high school with an electronic reader board. Lincoln County Credit Union will pay for a portion of the $15,000 to $18,000 project.
The balance of the money could come from the school's activities fund, said high school principal Rodney Smith. He also will ask the school board for a contribution.
The credit union, which has offices 120 W. Fifth St. and Rosauers in Libby and at Stein's IGA in Troy, approached the school about doing a project.
"We're always trying to find projects that will have a social impact on our community," said Chari Lucas, president of the 6,500-member credit union. "That seemed to be a need in Troy. That sign is very old. I know the school district has a hard time coming up with money for projects like that."
Lincoln County Credit Union will have its name on the board, Smith said.
"I think it will be a great service to the community, parents and everybody," Smith said. "We can provide more information.
A computer will be installed in one of the district's buildings for typing in announcements for athletic events, open houses, school board meetings and anything school related, Smith said.
"I'm so excited about the new system," said Randall, who is the district's librarian and advisor for Close-up. "I can just sit down and program events for a year in advance."
Randall changes upcoming activities on the announcement board up to two times a week.
"It's a suction cup system," she said. "To get them down when it's cold, is tough. And when it's raining, they don't want to suction."
The current reader board also is very limited with space.
"Like this week, we had a volleyball game on Tuesday, the school board met Tuesday and we had parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday. There are five lines, and you have to make all that fit on the board."
"As soon as the parent-teacher conferences were over, I took that down Thursday morning for Friday's volleyball game," she continued.