Ralls County school board seeks to restore Internet service to Center students

Students at Center Elementary School have been “cut off from the world.” The school lost its Internet service when the demolition of the New London water tower began this week. The tower held the district’s repeater equipment that transmits Internet service to the Center school. New London Elementary will not be impacted.
During last week’s meeting of the Ralls County R-II School District’s Board of Education it was reported that Delores Woodhurst, Center Elementary principal, and Kim Saunders, technology coordinator, have explored different connectivity options. They reported the two main options appear to be constructing a tower at New London near the Mississippi Valley Communications equipment, or securing a different Internet provider for Center Elementary.
It is estimated that the cost of constructing a tower will range from $700 to $5,000. It was unknown at the time of the meeting how long it would take to construct the tower and install the necessary equipment.
For $150 a month, Ralls Technology would provide Internet service to Center Elementary. Lynn Hodges, owner of Ralls Technology, indicated that service could be provided quickly.
Woodhurst was asked to check to see if Internet service to the school would be available through a phone company.
In other business:
• The district was advised to advertise for architectural/engineering services for the tornado safe room project. The board will have a meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 to review proposals and choose an architectural firm.
• The board approved accepting two bids for surplus equipment. Kevin Huse’s bid of $726 was the largest of three received for a 1963 Ford 641 tractor. James Dent’s bid of $100 was the lone bid received for dark room supplies and equipment.
• Approval was given a bid of $11,745 from All-N-One for a sprinkler system for the football field and a water supply line to the practice field.
• Mike Griewing was appointed the district’s safety coordinator.
• Cherrie Allen was named the district’s homeless coordinator.
• In personnel matters: Tammy Smith was hired as the junior high basketball cheerleading sponsor; Paula Evans’ letter of resignation as high school secretary was accepted, effective Dec. 31.