Computer Lab Renovation for Montrose Area High School

June 3, 2008: Videoconferencing is one educational tool that teachers and students at Montrose Area High School have used since the early 1990s, according to Technology Director Craig Owens, but technologies change, sometimes faster than schools can keep up with, and facilities require frequent upgrades of both software and hardware.

To improve its current facility to assist student learning and also provide a modern conference space for community groups looking for computer and Internet access, a digital projector, and videoconferencing capability, the Montrose Area School District agreed to work with The Community Foundation of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, which assists local schools in providing projects that will enhance existing curricula and provide a valuable return to the community at large. Funding for these projects is provided by local corporations through the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program.

The Community Foundation has been awarded a $40,000 grant to fund the renovation of the Montrose Area High School's distance learning facility as approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) based upon a project proposal submitted by The Community Foundation that was prepared from information provided by Mr. Owens. To begin the project Pennstar Bank has provided $10,000, and Peoples National Bank has donated $30,000 and has pledged an additional $30,000 to complete the project.

Peter Quigg, Director of Development for The Community Foundation, says he is pleased that this project was accepted by the DCED and that funding was also made available. In addition to the leaders of the two local banks, others have contributed to the success of the project, Mr. Quigg says. State Representative Sandra Major, Superintendent Mike Ognosky, and Business Manager Lew Plauny have offered input and been instrumental in developing and implementing this proposal. Furthermore, The Community Foundation is also working with the newly established Endless Mountains Technology Center, and the renovated Montrose Area High School's facility will be fully prepared to benefit from classes and seminars provided by the Center.

Mr. Owens expects to remodel the current facility in the High School by installing permanent seating, improving the lighting, and upgrading the technical equipment to allow high speed Internet-based videoconferencing, a camera, digital projector, and microphones along with the electronics that establish the remote connections. "Our equipment has surpassed its normal life expectancy," Mr. Owens says. "We seek to replace the aging equipment and make upgrades to the dedicated facility in which this equipment is utilized."