Keeping up with technology is essential to education, and Hardy Telecommunications is supporting East Hardy Early Middle School’s goal of updating the tools available to teachers and students.
Hardy has donated $500 to help with an ongoing project started by the school’s Local School Improvement Council. Derek Barr, Hardy’s director of customer service and sales, marketing and human resources, presented the check to EHEMS Principal Don Rhodes. The money will support the LSIC’s plan to purchase mobile laptops for students and iPads and laptops for teachers. The entire plan is an ambitious goal with an estimated cost of $25,000.
“Technology changes and advances so quickly, and students who aren’t able to access the latest methods and devices can easily fall behind. Hardy Telecommunications always has worked to bring technological innovation to our area because we believe rural residents are entitled to the same opportunities as urban residents, especially for our schools and youth,” Derek said.
Mr. Rhodes thanked Derek and Hardy for their generosity and support.
Diana Miller, chair of the EHEMS LSIC, wrote that the group decided to pursue the technology project after discussing ways to promote improvements in teaching and learning in the classroom. The LSIC is made up of educators, parents, business partners, and faculty and staff from various departments like transportation, janitorial, and administration.
“Without the improved and more accessible technology, our children are at a major disadvantage with their education,” she said.
Derek said the school’s project goes hand in hand with Hardy’s construction of OneNet, its fiber-to-the-home network in the county. Hardy still is expanding the network using its own resources after a federal broadband stimulus loan/grant project ended last year.
“We hear all the time about how important broadband is for education, business, and the entire economy of an area,” he said. “The infrastructure is there, and now we need to give students the tools they need to take advantage of it.”